The Gambia’s fading Approach

2008 could be the defining year for Gambian football. The achievements recorded by our youth categories gave us the conviction that qualifying for South Africa 2010 will be the icing on the cake as the success story of our youth developmental agenda. Therefore it is a big challenge for all stakeholders including the administrators, financiers, supporters and footballers.

The platform has already been set after being pitted against Algeria, Senegal and Liberia in one group. The step taken by the FA, in collaboration with Africell, to make good use of the FIFA international calendar is a positive step in the right direction but is it meant for the tried and tested or with the players in form?
 
However, form is temporal, class is permanent is only a cliché because it so often turns out to be right- though we have to accept the fact that in football the reference to permanence is relative. No one stays at the top forever.

There are some Gambians who argue that our professional players are a bunch of mercenaries and that the national team would be better off with players from the domestic league. Its nonsense but its amazing how many otherwise intelligent people can fall to it when the nationalist mood strikes.

This is a competition that requires high standard of international experience which the TRB’s (Those Remaining Behind) don’t have. Four goals out of five scored recently by The Gambia in four matches all came from set pieces second ball, Two against Guinea and two Sierra Leon.

The world has described the tactical approach by The Gambia as “Sneak a goal on counter blanket defense, interrupt the rhythm and deny the opponent space”, a great number of goals were scored from this approach from 2005 to the last goal scored in Canada by Pierre Gomez. Are we taking notice of the fading approach by the team?

Thank God the Confederation of African Football has initiated a special competition for the TRB’s called African Championship of nations to be launching this year. This will be a good platform for the TRB’s to showcase their talent and gain international experience.   

Ousman Jallow and co had taken the Gambia to its first under 20 FIFA world youth championship and the achievement was remarkable. Nonetheless few from that squad proved themselves in their debut game at senior level against Algeria giving the soccer pundits a whetted appetite to stand by the fusion policy.

How can the Gambia obtain success at youth level and endure the disappointments suffered by the senior team and no one provide a definitive answer? I think this subject must be taken on board as part of our mental preparation.

The TRB’s were given an early blow on the face in Bissau with the tried and tested policy approach but latter opted for an inform striker selected from the super nawettan championship. Against Sierra Leon in Banjul the professionals were welcome under full house but the performance was rather individual than collective which threw up more questions than answers. Are we taking notice of the fading approach?

FOOTBALL OF THE FUTURE

Why do we need to go for quality rather than quantity?

By the start of the 2010/2011 football season, the European governing body UEFA will implement a new principle call the “6+5”rule, six players eligible for the national team and a maximum of five non eligible players in a club starting eleven.

The aim is to make for an even better balance in Europe which is designed to protect educational programs and national teams and would also have important benefits, including reduced transfer costs and the preservation of clubs and national identities.

How can Spain amass titles at youth level while the senior side invariably fails at major tournaments? Is a question that has long baffled football fans all over the world. Various theories have been put forward to explain the gulf between the good results obtained by the youth teams and the disappointments suffered by the senior team.

In recognition of Spain’s achievements, UEFA has awarded the Maurice Burlaz trophy to the European association that has produced the most successful youth teams over the previous two years just as The Gambia did in Africa.

Spain, on seven out of nine occasions, were conferred this honor, (1994, 96, 98, 2002, 04, 06 and 2007). Various theories have been put forward to explain the gulf between the good results obtained by the youth teams and disappointments suffered by the senior team and none appear to provide a definitive answer.

The conclusion given to this enigma is that Spanish players’ development is hampered by the clubs’ need for results, thus prompts them to turn their backs on generation after generation of gifted young Spanish footballers by investing in foreign players.

Now if this rule comes into effect in 2010 it is the foreign export that will fall victim that is why scouts and sporting directors are changing gear and opting for exceptional players rather than average once.

We are given guidelines for recruitment and I would like to seize this opportunity to share it with Gambians

REQUIREMENTS

WITH POSSESSION

Velocity of ball control, first touch, passes, dribbling, one and one situations, before one and one, and after one and one situations, rebound kick, duration with possession, heading ability, laying the ball forward, entry into the attacking third, long diagonal passes, in front of goal, and capacity to score.

WITHOUT POSSESSION

Reaction speed, range of action, tactical behavior, exploiting the free space, creating space, two against three situation, attitude inside the 16.5m box, change position without functioning, anticipation in play, and intelligence in the game.

TRANSITION WITH POSSESSION

Passes, reactions movements, and executions

TRANSITION WITHOUT POSSESSION

Orientation, zonal and man marking, reaction without possession and the second ball.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONING

Resistance, speed resistance, speed, change of rhythm, movements, flexibility, injury recovery

DESCRIPTION OF PERSONALITY

Ambitions, discipline, positive attitude, assign responsibility, control of emotions, aggressive and stamina, work rate, self confident, winning mentality and authority.

INFLUENCE IN THE TEAM

Positive, negative, no influence, no influence but can influence.

The assessment is judge base on these ratings

+ + Very good

   + Good

+ - Regular

-   Bad

-   - Very bad

   ? No opinion

Gambian footballers, coaches and academy trainers should take note

Kabba Ceesay
FIFA Agent