Alagie Sarr, the coach of the Gambia Under 20 team has hit out at the West African Football Union (WAFU) for what he described as their poor organizational approach to the on-going youth event holding in Delta State, Nigeria.

Prior to the two-week event, which is the first tournament in more than a decade, the Nigeria organizers had vowed to stage a competition with a difference - in terms of proper organization.  

However, as the competition progresses in the four various locations in the south of the country, the Gambian Alagie Sarr sees no difference between the Nigeria’s event and the previous competitions that were synonymous to poor organization and improper planning.

“I am least pleased with the way this tournament is being organized. When we were coming, we were told that this competition will be an exciting and hitch-free event. But since we arrived, I have seen no sign of that yet,” Coach Sarr told Observer Sports at his Nelrose Hotel camp on Saturday.

“The accommodation and feeding are OK but the coordination is very poor. Since we arrived, we have not been seeing the WAFU officials and information is not flowing resulting in the cancellation and late kick-off of matches.”

“Our first match against Guinea, which was to be played on Friday, was postponed without our notice.”“We played the game yesterday [Saturday] and the match was halted in the 75th minute of the game because the place got dark. And right now it is still not clear whether we will replay the game or not.”

“Both teams [Gambia and Guinea] have agreed it should be ruled as a goalless draw but Badara Ndiaye – the referee chief wants us to replay the match on [Sunday] just because he wants to favour Senegal who have earlier lost their match against Ghana. And we have to play Ghana on Monday as well. How can we play three matches in three days? It’s not possible,” he said.

“I don’t know what type of organization is this but I think [WAFU] should adjust itself, in terms of good organization.” Speaking in line with Alagie Sarr is Gambia’s head of delegation and the first vice-president of the Gambia Football Association, Mr Omar Ceesay, who believes the much-talked-about Nigeria tournament, should have been more exciting than it is so far.

“It’s sad to say but nothing seems to be in place. I believe WAFU has the capacity to organize a better tournament than this because they have the funds and the human resources. But I don’t why things are not working as it should be?” Ceesay asked in bewilderment.