After making a promising start in the first round matches of the qualifiers of the 16th African Youth Championship slated for Rwanda in 2009, The Gambia U-20 team resumed training yesterday at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. The training is part of preparation for their last qualifying matches against Ghana in September this year.

The team beat Mauritania in both legs in the first round and look poised to make their second appearance in the 2009 edition if only they are able to make it passed Ghana.

Speaking to Pointsports, Assistant Coach of The Gambia U-20 team Lamin Sarr said they will be preparing well for the encounter with Ghana in September 2008 in Banjul.

He stated that plans are underway to organise test games for the team before their crucial game against Ghana.

“We really want to play friendly matches either with Nigeria, Mali. Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso,” he pointed out.

He called on the players to remain serious and always report to the training ground on time.

28 teams will battle each other for a place in the second round, which will see seven teams joining hosts Rwanda for the finals.

The winners after both legs qualify for the final round of the championships to be held in Rwanda from January 18 to February 1, 2009.

Andre Ayew, son of African football legend Abedi Pele and five other foreign-based namely Ishmael Yartey (Benefica, Portugal), Daniel Opare (Real Madrid, Spain), Sadick Adams (Athletico Madrid, Spain) and France-based duo, Enoch Adu Kofi and Abeiku Quansah are said to be playing for the Ghaniaian U-20 team.

The first leg will be played in Banjul on the weekend of September 26th, 2008 in Banjul.

Two weeks later the Young Scorpions will travel to Ghana to take on the Black Starlets in October.