The Gambia U-20 team thrashed the South Africa U-20 side in a fiery-friendly match played last night in Johansenborg, South Africa.

Goals from Abdoulie Mansally, Ken Malamin Jammeh and Pa Modou Jagne secured a convincing 3-0 victory for the Darling Scorpions, who are preparing to take part in their first-ever African Youth Championship finals in Congo Brazzaville.

The Gambian team will play another friendly tomorrow before jetting out to Congo for the Championship proper, which will kick off on Saturday, January 20.

The Gambia is paired in Group A, alongside the host, Congo, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, while Group B feature the defending champions and three-time winners, Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroun and Zambia.

The Gambia will play Burkina Faso in their debut group on Saturday, January 20 in Brazzaville, before facing the host, Congo, three days later. The Darling Scorpions last Group match is scheduled for January 26, against the Young Elephants of Ivory Coast.

Prior to their departure for the South Africa training camp, the Gambian team received strong boost from the Gambian leader, Dr Alhagi Yahya Jammeh. After given US$ 9,900 to the team for their refreshment during the training camp, the benevolent Gambian leader also pledged to the team, a substantive amount of one million dollar if they win the coveted title.

CAF U-20 Fixtures

20/01/07

Congo v Ivory Coast Brazzaville

Burkina Faso v Gambia Brazzaville

21/01/07

Nigeria v Zambia Pointe Noire

Cameroon v Egypt Pointe Noire

23/01/07

Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso Brazzaville

Gambia v Congo Brazzaville

24/01/07

Zambia v Cameroon Pointe Noire

Egypt v Nigeria Pointe Noire

26/01/07

Ivory Coast v Gambia Brazzaville

Congo v Burkina Faso Brazzaville

27/01/07

Zambia v Egypt Pointe Noire

Nigeria v Cameroon Pointe Noire

30/01/07: Semi-Finals

1st Group A v 2nd Group B Brazzaville

1st Group B v 2nd Group A Brazzaville

02/02/07: 3rd Place Play-Off, Brazzaville

03/02/07: Final, Brazzaville