The Gambia is known locally as "The Smiling Coast of Africa" and our Under-20 team have certainly brought a lot of joy to the nation, after reaching the Round of 16 at the recently concluded 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals, hosted in Canada.  The same was true two years ago, when the nucleus of this same squad took part in the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Peru, though we have mixed memories of that tournament.

First we stunned Brazil by winning 3-1, in our opening match before beating Qatar by the same score in Piura. However, the journey south to the Peruvian capital Lima for the final group match against the Netherlands was a very different story.

 Although The Gambia needed only a draw or a single-goal defeat against the Dutch, we lost 2-0 and star striker Momodou Ceesay missed a late penalty that would have spared us. As it was, we had to come back  home, despite picking up six group points, though the lessons the team got in that bitter defeat can serve them well in future competitions.

After arriving in Canada as one of the underdogs from the African continent, the Gambia went on to win two group games, raising expectations and delighting hearts of Gambian fans in another World Championship.

As fate would have it, though the Darling Scorpions came up against Austria in the second round matches, and the dream ended there. Yet, amid the disappointment of our abrupt departure, is the certainty that many of the players will go on to make the grade at senior level and continue to enthral an appreciative planet football.

Striker Hoffer’s second-half strike, which left Jospeh Gomez helpless in the Gambian goal, not only settled the fiercely competitive second-round match in favour of the Austrians, it also signalled the end of an era for a generation of young players who had taken Gambian football to previously unscaled heights.

"We wanted to emulate what we had done at Under17 level two years. Nonetheless, I'm very proud of these lads. They gave their all in every game and showed immense heart. That, more than anything else, is what saddens me about our elimination," Seedy Kinteh President of the Gambia Football Association said.

In a tournament replete with surprises, The Gambia enjoyed an almost impeccable campaign. Prior to our second round defeat, Bonu Johnson’s men had strung together two straight wins, against Portugal and fellow newcomers, New Zealand after a losing start (0-3 defeat to Mexico).

All told, the performances of Abdoulie Ken Mansarry, Pierre Gomez and Co at Canada 2007 have convinced many that the cream of this squad will be lighting up the ranks of the senior national team in the medium-term - reasons aplenty for the team to hold its head high on returning to Banjul.

Abdoulie Ken Mansarry, is one player who could see an immediate return on his side's performances in recent months. More than one publication has had earlier claimed that  the forward is destined for an imminent move to one of European top clubs. And one is not surprise that the star-player is currently making a name for himself at the New England side in the United States. 

"Getting knocked out really hurts the squad," the player says, "but we had reached home with our heads held high. What really saddens me, though, is that some of us won't be back there when the side next gets together."

Also making his last appearance for the U-20s is Ousman Jallow who ply his professional football with Al-Ain FC of the United Arab Emirate (UAE). The team's talisman and striker served notice of his talent at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru, 2005, but has gone on to add explosive pace and finishing to his repertoire of skills.

Also leaving a lasting impression on fans in Canada were the superb displays of Real de Banjul winger, Pa Landing Conateh, the defensive prowess of Hawks Pierre Gomez, and the passionate commitment of Ports Authority’s Pa Modou Jagne, who despite failing to get on the score sheet in Canada, still made a noteworthy contribution in attack as Ous Jallow’s strike-mate.

Without doubt, we will be hearing more about these youngsters - perhaps even at the 2008 Olympic Football Tournament in China and 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. As GFA’s First-Vice President, Brigadier-General Lang Tombong Tamba says: "Gambian football can rest easy. These young players will go on to form the base of the country's senior team when we hope to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa."

“We are very proud of your performance. And you are our hope for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa,” Brigadier-General Tamba told the returning team.