Following their heroic performance during the four-nation tournament marking the 47th independence anniversary of Ivory Coast, the darling U-17 team would arrive at the Banjul International Airport from Abidjan, on board Slok Air International Airlines, today Thursday August 16th, 2007 at 17:50 hrs, according to reports from The Gambia Football Association (GFA).

The team according to GFA, led their championship credentials with a merited 1-1 draw against Niger before thrashing the host, Ivory Coast 2-nil and twice beating Burkina Faso 2-1 and 1-nil in the round robing and in the finals played in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan yesterday August 15th, 2007.

As the worthy champions, the report stated, the team was awarded a giant silver trophy and gold medals by the Ivorian leader, Laurent Gbagbo and Sainey Touray, the Michael Jordan of Gambian was also awarded a golden boot as the tournaments top scorer.

The Gambia Football Association under the stewardship of Seedy Buwa Kinteh took the opportunity to thank President Yahya Jammeh, the Department of State for Youths, Sports and Religious Affairs, the technicians, footballers and the entire families of the darling U-17 team for their loyalty, support and encouragement.

Additionally, GFA urged all interested in welcoming the boys to report at the Banjul International Airport at least one hour before the arrival of the team.