Foday Bah eases pressure as his beleaguered U20 seek to overturn Burkinabé advantage
By Ebrima KB Sonko
Foday Bah with reporters after his team lost at home to Burkina Faso
Foday Bah, the head coach of the Gambia women U20 team is confident that his girls can overturn their 1-0 loss against Burkina Faso in FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Banjul.
The Burkinabe U20 girls beat the Gambia U20 team 1-0 thanks to a 77-minute strike by their forward sensation Adele Nadmie Kabre.
Burkina Faso women’s U20
The Gambian girls monopolized proceedings in the first half, but they were wasteful in front of goal. Teddy Jatta and Fatoumatta Jammeh were all guilty of missing some glorious chances. Teddy even saw her efforts come off the stand post to her dismay.
The man who doubles as Wallidan gaffer said he was happy with the performance of his girls even though they didn’t get their desired result. Coach Foday Bah said he is optimistic that his side will get the last laugh.
“Today, if you look at the performance for me, I am very happy with the team. I am not happy with the result. Football is all about results, they got the results today, but I believe our performance is better. They have a happy moment right now, but I don't think they have a happy future.”
“For us the performance is good, and I believe we have a happy future coming in the next game. If you look at the team, I don't want to make promises, but it is going to be different.”
If the Gambia women's U20 maneuver past Burkina Faso, they are likely to face continental giants Nigeria. The Nigeria U20 Women team annihilated Central Africa Republic 7-0 in last Saturday’s round of 2022 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier. When asked about the prospect of playing against the former FIFA Women's U20 runners up, Foday said he is focusing on the immediate task. “We are working on it. We are playing with Burkina right now we lost at home, and we will try to beat them away and when we meet with Nigeria, we will see what is possible.”
Gambia women’s U20 team
The Gambian gaffer revealed to the press that he and his team of technicians are putting more focus on horning the skills of these girls to become better players in the future rather than be result oriented.
“We are trying to build up. These are young girls, and it is all about development. When you win, it’s a plus but as of now when you look up to the senior national team the last U20 players, we have nine (9) playing there now.” Foday enthused.
“It’s developmental and we are trying to get these players and most of them are like U-17. Bringing them to play in U20 they get a long way to go. If we get them playing like this in the next couple of years, I think they will do better.” He stated.
The Gambian team resumed training two days after the 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso at the Late Ousman Saho Memorial Football Field ahead of the second and deciding leg billed for October in Cotonou, Benin.