Sang Ndong on Benin defeat

Sang Ndong pleased with his rebuilding whatever the Benin defeat unraveled.

Sang Ndong had only words of praise for his players – and their future potential – after the 1-0 defeat to Benin which extended his five-game reign of no wins in competitive matches as head coach of the team.

Gambia could have been 2-0 up at halftime if opportunities that fell for star players Mustapha Carayol and Modou Barrow were converted into goals but Benin were rewarded for their second half revival with a kind deflection goal from their star man and leader Stephane Sessegnon.

Sang Ndong said: “I think still on the process of rebuilding this team, the signs are good. It was a very good challenge for us today and the team was well stretched. They took in all the pressure but accidentally we took a deflected goal.

“I think everything went partially well since we left Gambia for Ghana. We tried to manage with one or two practice sessions in Ghana then to here (Benin) where we trained once at the stadium. It was a difficult one because of the traveling but no excuses, I am satisfied with the performance. We need to be a little bit luckier. I have observed most of the games we will take bad goals - a deflection, penalty, own goals and all those things…so I think we need to work on our luck also. I think the bonding process is going well between the young and older players in the squad. That is the most important thing."

Asked about his plans before the next qualifier, Sang Ndong said “First, we need to get back home and report then start the planning because there are lot of international windows in August, November and ahead.