Courageous Baby Scorpions arrived to a heroe’s welcome on Thursday, August 26, after clinching gold medal in the just concluded quadrangular international football tournament hosted in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
The Gambia proved their supremacy over three other football nations-Cote d’Ivoire, Niger and Burkina Faso in the four-nation round robin Championship that was staged as part of the activities marking the 47th Independence Anniversary of the former French colony.

In addition to the coveted trophy, The Gambia also grasped the Golden Boot title-courtesy of Sainey Touray, who finished on three goals.
The Baby Scorpions heroic display did not go unnoticed as thousands of Gambian sports enthusiasts stormed the Banjul International Airport on a rainy Thursday night to welcome the team that are being touted as national heroes.

The team, accompanied by the members of the National Scorpions Fans Club, Executive members of the GFA and senior officials of sports department, drove past scores of waiting supporters, who despite the incessant downpour of rains, lined up the streets to show their utmost appreciation to the team that have restored public confidence over-night, after their disappointing display in the 2006 CAF Under 17 qualifiers.

Addressing the team shortly after their arrival, Mr. Seedy Kinteh, President of the Gambia Football Association said: “You have made the whole Gambia proud by bringing the giant trophy. It’s another unprecedented success in the annals of Gambian football and you must be commended for your brave effort.”

“Before leaving for Abidjan, I told you to go there and represent The Gambia with maximum discipline. However, you don’t only maintain the maximum discipline, but come with the giant trophy.”
Kinteh said an arrangement would be made to meet the Vice-President, Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy before they proceed to Kanilai to present the trophy to President Jammeh, Chief Patron of the national football governing body.

“We will collaborate with the sports department to present the trophy to President Jammeh. The President has always asked us to bring him the cup and you are the luckiest to bring him a cup.”

In conclusion, the GFA boss poured praises on players and technical staff of the team for a job well-done. He also hailed the press, particularly the two journalists-Nanama Keita and Benjamin Wally Joof` for their good press coverage during the week-long competition.