Following the 2010 World Cup qualifiers draw held in Durban last weekend, president of The Gambia Football Association Seedy MB Kinteh has expressed confidence in the readiness of The Gambia to challenge its opponents in group six namely; Senegal, Liberia and Algeria.

He said The Gambia, who have been drawn alongside neighbours Senegal and others, are no stranger to these teams as all the teams know what The Gambia can produce in terms of football.

“I am very hopeful that if we have the necessary preparation we will be able to win both home and away matches,” he said.

The GFA prexy further assured fans that despite the fact that their opponents in group 6 are not new comers to the country, the FA have not taken the challenge lightly and will commence preparation for the qualifiers immediately next year.

“The technical team will arrange a series of test matches and this, coupled with the fine players available, makes me very hopefully that we can qualify for the first time”. Mr Kinteh was quick to add, “We need the support of stakeholders”.

He revealed that the government is ready to support the team in the qualifying matches despite the costs involved and called for additional support and prayers from the general public in order to realize this vision.

The qualifiers in Africa, which are already in their second phase, comprise a three-stage process and will seek to produce the five successful squads that will represent the continent at the global event to be hosted by South Africa.

The campaign also doubles up as the qualifier for the African Cup of Nations of Angola in 2010, which kicks off just a couple of months before the World Cup takes place, hence South Africa’s place in the qualifying stages despite reaching the World Cup as hosts. 

In another development, The Gambia football Association President used the opportunity to inform Pointsport that the Gambia Zone II team will leave Banjul today for Bissau.

He said the team had enough preparation and added that this year’s event could be an opportunity for the nation to win the trophy for the first time.

The Gambia has been drawn in group B together with defending champions Guinea Conakry, Mali and Cape Verde.

Group A includes host Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

The Gambia is yet to claim the championship despite many years of participation.