The triumphant Gambia Under 17 team were  accorded a warm homecoming on Saturday evening that they would remember for life.  

The proud winners of the 2009 African Under 17 Championship in Algeria were given a rousing welcome by the Gambian fans, who had gathered at the Banjul International Airport in large numbers to catch a glimpse of their heroes. The chartered flight carrying the Baby Scorpions back from the North Afrian country landed at the airport at around 5:00pm.

A fair-looking pilot waived a Gambian flag out of the cockpit window as the plane came to a halt and the visibly-elated Gambian head of delegation Seedy Kinteh held up the gold trophy as he and other members of the squad emerged from the plane to cheers from thousands of waiting fans, including the secretary of state for Youth and Sports Mr Sheriff Gomez.
 
Senior government officials and service chiefs were also present to greet the team. The squad, which defeated hosts Algeria 3-1 on Thursday to lift the coveted trophy, were taken in coasters from the airport to the July 22 Square in Banjul, where the sports-loving Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, honoured them in a victory celebration party amidst thousands of their faithful.

Exciting fans mobbed the team coasters, with T-shirts bearing Baby Scorpions' pictures in what was the biggest-ever welcome accorded to a national team. Bouncers stepped up to whisk the team off into a convoy of vehicles, snaking their way into the capital hooting and cheering. Business came to a momentary halt as thousands showed up to have a glimpse of the team that made the whole nation proud.

GFA president Seedy Kinteh who headed the team to Algeria said the victory was dream come true. “It was not not an easy job for us because of the group we found ourselves. It was the group of “death” that had the hosts and some other big names like Guinea and Cameroon,” he said. “But we defied the bookmakers by winning all our group matches before snatching up the cup from the grasp of the hosts nation.” “The Gambia were also awarded the Most Discipline Trophy by the organisers - the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Our goalkeeper was also named the best goalkeeper of the tournament - having conceded only one goal, which only came in the final match against Algeria.” “We were able to do all this because of the valuable support of our president Professor  Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh who has always been there for us.” “I will thank His Excellency for his support and concern for the team, which resulted in these great achievements,” said Kinteh who also hailed their hosts Algeria for their support during their two-week stay in the country.