In the 2003 play-offs for the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations, Gambia played at home against Senegal and were held to a goaless draw. In the return match in Senegal, The Gambia were defeated 3-1. Gambia’s loss to Algeria in the first leg in Algiers by a single goal was followed by a 2-1 victory over Algeria in the return leg at home. Gambia beat Liberia here at home by 2-0 in that campaign and, needing only a draw or a narrow loss, threw the tournament in a heartbreaking 3-0 defeat in Monrovia. Two of the goals were woefully conceded in the last eight minutes. The Gambia crashed out of both tournaments.

This time around, and caught in the same group as 2003, Gambia have again been held to a goaless draw at home by Senegal and again have home advantage against Algeria in the first round. We have two hopes. Our first hope is that this time we can maintain a good scoreline in Senegal on our return leg, or even better a victory, depending on our result against Algeria. Our other hope is that we can this time not only defeat Algeria but improve the scoreline from 2-1 to 3-0 at least.

Needless to say, the Scorpions have to put up their best fight. They need every ounce of energy to maintain a good position in the play-offs. It is a tough assignment and sacrifice, but one they must make to make up to the nation the failed promise of 2003.

But again it must be said, as we have said before, that for sure success, a big onus is on the supporters to play their role. If the boys are to produce their best, then the supporters must play their part, and play it well. With sound support, the players can produce even more than their best. This is what we want to see happen starting with the Algeria match.

Supporters should come out in their thousands and shout in their thousands. We must not come out in our thousands and shout in our dozens. That would not fire the boys up. Support must be heard, felt, and above all, relentless.

Again we want to remind supporters to help the organisers by being orderly, disciplined and generally positive. We should all remember that we are now under the spyglass of the international football authorities, FIFA and CAF, and should prudently avoid financial sanctions as were inflicted on us during the Gambia/Algeria match last year. On that occasion we recall that the Disciplinary Board of CAF imposed a fine of $ 10,000.00 on Gambia on basis of what was found to be unruly behaviour of Gambian supporters as well as offensive conduct of some of our players during the 2008 African Cup Preliminaries against this same team Algeria here at Independence Stadium. The GFA president, Mr Seedy Kinteh has rightly called it a “watch-match”, and has cautioned for maximum care and restraint on part of all supporters. If our crowd comportment in our match against Senegal is anything to go by, we should not fear sanction but rather expect praise from the authorities. But we must be vigilant all the same.  Furthermore in our own interest, we should protect ourselves against heat exhaustion by reducing exposure to the sun by for example wearing straw hats and carrying enough water and even salt and sugar to prevent dehydration.    

Again Africell should be commended for their valuable support to The Gambia Football Association in particular, and to Gambian sports in general. We appeal once more to all successful businesses in this country to lend a hand to sports promotion in The Gambia. Let’s go Scorpions! 

Forex Bureau Rates:

M J Finance 9965635

Buying

GBP  =        D40.00

US    =        D20.00

5000CFA =  D240.00

EURO =      D31.00

Swedish Kroner= D320

Danish Kroner= D370

Selling

GBP   =       D41.50

 US     =       D21.50

5000CFA      D 250.00

EURO          D33.50

Kroner           D350.00

Danish Kroner = D425

Forex Bureau Rates:

M J Finance 9965635

Buying

GBP  =        D40.00

US    =        D20.00

5000CFA =  D240.00

EURO =      D31.00

Swedish Kroner= D320

Danish Kroner= D370

Selling

GBP   =       D41.50

 US     =       D21.50

5000CFA      D 250.00

EURO          D33.50

Kroner           D350.00

Danish Kroner = D425