Scorpions coach, Paul Put, has tipped The Gambia Under 17 team to beat their Algerian counterparts when the two sides meet in the final of the 2009 African Under 17 Championship today.

The Belgian tactician insists Algeria are not the side that can stop the Gambian youngsters judging from the past records. “Having beaten the teams like Republic of Guinea and Cameroon, I do not think Algeria can stop the Gambia from winning the trophy,” Foroyaa Sports quoted Paul Put saying. Paul Put pointed out that the Under 17 team have several talented players who can upset their opponents should they maintain their present run of form, which saw them maintain a clean sheet into the final.

He remarked,”We have good individual talents. So you have three or five players to make a major difference. The confidence is in the team and the luck is on our side”. By reaching the semi-final of the Algeria event, the Gambian team have also qualified for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup to be staged in Nigeria in October, and Paul Put has a word of caution for the team’s Egyptian coach.

Admitting that the team have done wonders by reaching the final unbeaten in all matches, Paul Put maintains there is still a big gap to close. “We may not be blind, because the tournament in Nigeria will be a big difference. So technically and tactically, it would be a very big difference. But the most important thing is to concentrate and not give chances away. When they come you have to finish” said Paul Put.

GFA First division league ranking

RNK        Team                P    W    D    L    GF    GA    GD    Pts
1    Armed Forces             11    7    2    2    12      5     7      23
2    Bakau United              11    4    5    2    15      7     8       17
3    Wallidan                     11    4    4    3    11     8     3       16
4    Sea View                   11    4    4    3    10      8     2       16
5    Steve Biko                 11    4    3    4    8       8     0       15
6    GAMTEL                    11    3    6    2    6       6     0       15
7    Brikama Utd               11    4    3    4    11     13    -2      15
8    Samger                     11    3    5    3    8       8     0       14
9    Real de Banjul            11    4    2    5    7       9     -2       14
10  Hawks                       11    3    3    5    6      7     -1       12
11  Tallinding Utd             11    2    4    5    12    17    -5      10
12  Africell                      11    2    3    6    7       17   -10     9