Opinion: My Man-of-the-Match against Angola

By Abdoulie Bah

Scorpions’ Team Manager for logistics Ousman Cho Drammeh

Now let me begin by saying I am not the patronizing type of journalist. In fact, some of you who know me or have followed my work both on radio and web since 2008, would probably have a better idea with the number of fall outs I have had with coaches and even fellow journalists who adopt the line of praise singing.

However, this time you will excuse me. Amid all the positives surrounding our victory and qualification to the Nations Cup, I have chosen to focus on a real personal highlight off the pitch. There was one observation in the scorpion’s international games - football media ecosystem throughout the week. Team Manager Ousman Cho Drammeh!!!

I do not know this man personally or ever met him, but his appointment has been a breath of fresh air in terms team affairs vs football media and general public relations.

Throughout my thirteen-year football journalism career, five of which I had spent covering National Team affairs from U-17, U-20 and the Senior side home and away, I must admit I have never seen a more efficient team manager like Cho Drammeh in performing his role and in engaging with younger, digitally-driven Gambian football fans.  And I say this having dealt with some of the nicest national team logistics managers in our Football. Lamin Camara (Diep), Modou Sowe (retired ref), Abdoulie Hadda Bangura and several others I have travelled with during my day as a national team reporter for West Coast Radio.

I say he over-performs his role. Even during pressure, confusion over the team’s arrival, and the generally hostile attitude towards media by football authorities he has stood up for the right to public information and the rights of the press men and women to ask questions to the coach who was not willing to take any before the match. Added to up-to-the minute accurate updates on WhatsApp football forums even while the Federation facebook page were busy throwing the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the bus following the late arrival of the team’s initial flight from Brussels.

When the GFF’s media department sent in a press release asking journalists to send in questions stating that due to covid restrictions, there was not going to be any chance to grab a word with coach Saintfiet, Cho stood up, convinced the gaffer, and made sure it happened. Succeeding where even a toothless Sports Journalists Association - these days busy interested in being puppets of federations, hanging around for covid freebies and giving awards for handouts – all failed.

To sum up the brilliant job done by this man I call my man-of-the-match, here’s a comment I stumbled upon on social media written by Gambia football commentator Omar Jatta :

“The Gambian coach referred to him as "the best team manager in the world." But truly Ousman Cho Drammeh has done an exceptional job in his role as Scorpions team manager, often under a very difficult and challenging circumstances especially during the Covid 19 pandemic, which had made it hugely challenging to convince foreign clubs to allow their players to report for these qualifying games.

Often, a lot of protocols and demands must be satisfied each time before the clubs can agree to allow their players to travel. And FIFA's decision to relax player rules for international games due to Covid, made that task hugely challenging for the national sides. This rule made it discretional for clubs to allow their players to report for international duties.

Fortunately, in Cho, we have a very young and dynamic team manager, who is very much abreast with the modern game and the operational demands of his role, which involves managing the team and personnel and all communication issues involving clubs and the players along with other administrative matters. And this meant the coach had enough free time to concentrate solely on training and coaching the team.

We have also seen his effort in joining Saul Marreh in Gabon for the rest of his quarantine period back November and his recent effort to convince Maudo Jarjue to finally answer to the national call, which are all great testimony among others of his performance as team manager. And we hope he can continue with his magic to bridge the gap to bring Ali Sowe into the fold for the AFCON tournament.

Bravo the "best manager in the world."

Top work, Cho. You are a gem and an example to all football and sports administrators in the country.