Sensational African Cup of Nations debutant quarterfinalists Gambia will host South Sudan in the opening game of Group G qualifying for Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

Neighboring Senegal’s third largest city, Thies, will host the fixture on Saturday following a widely reported stadium ban on the country earlier imposed by the Confederation of African Football.

*Scorpions having a feel of playing turf in Thies*. *PC: GFF Media*

Unsurprisingly, a large contingent of press operators and hundreds of both individual and official members of national scorpions’ fan club have made the journey across the border to drum up support for the Gambian side.

Tom Saintfiet’s men arrived in Thies in midweek on the back of a weeks’ training camp in the United Arab Emirates, where they held the hosts to a “good 1-1 draw” according to the Belgian. Reports indicated the UAE absurdly opted against televising the game, citing the socceroos of Australia, who they meet in a playoff for a place in the 2022 World Cup on June 7, would have the chance to spy on them.

*UAE vs Gambia International Friendly* *PC: GFF Media*

Musa Barrow who scored on the final day of the Serie A season for Bologna two weeks ago was again on target, with pictures later showing his brilliant equalizer for the scorpions at the Zabeel Stadium. There were a couple of withdrawal setbacks during the camp but other big hitters in the squad have made the trip to Thies.

*Key man Musa Barrow* . *PC: Adu Studio*

AFCON star Ablie Jallow has recovered from injury and played another key role in the UAE friendly.

Leading forward and crowned Swiss League winner Assan Ceesay will hope to carry his end-of-season club form to the national team following an underwhelming showing in Cameroon back in January.

Newly bestowed first team captain Omar Colley will again lead from the back after guiding Sampdoria to Serie A safety, having flirted with relegation for most of the season. His compatriot based in the eternal capital, Ebrima Darboe, also joined the camp buoyed by Europa Conference League success with Jose Mourinho’s A.S Roma days prior.

*Ebrima Darboe celebrating with Europa Conference League trophy*

There is no magic man Steve Trawally to call upon this time, following his recent move to the Swedish Allsvenskan, same for Modou Barrow, Saidy-Janko, Cardiff City’s new signing Ebou Adams as well as Spezia’s Ebrima Colley. There have been recalls for Lamin-born Sainey Njie playing in Slovakia, Khalifa Manneh, Sulayman Bojang, and Grenoble’s Abdoulie Sanyang.

Tom Saintfiet is confident that his side has enough but warned South Sudan should not be taken lightly, having held Nations Cup regulars and more established neighbours, Sudan, to a goalless draw recently.

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