Scorpions learning pre-AFCON lessons the hard way

Gambia’s Belgian Head Coach Tom Saintfiet

Gambia may have done enough to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, but their eagerly awaited participation is proving depressingly anti-climactic with a second defeat in as many days.

The scorpions who were desperate to make amends after a humiliating 7-2 defeat to a Moroccan U23 side in the city of El Jedida in a series of friendly games in the North African country, again left Head Coach Tom Saintfiet with a depressingly long list of problems to resolve and little time in which to do it in a tournament beginning in a couple of months.

West African neighbors Sierra Leone led by MLS great Kei Kamara were the ones to inflict defeat this time around with a rather comfortable 2-1 victory. Assan Ceesay’s first half strike from the penalty marking the scorpions brightest spark in the game.

Visibly, Gambia had improved in aggressive energy compared to their previous friendly from the start with Tom filling in close to his strongest best choices as Steve Trawally, Abdoulie and Lamin Jallow back starting together with qualifying hero Assan Ceesay.

Yet Sierra Leone were the closest to first blood when they were awarded an early penalty but saved by the scorpion’s keeper. As in typical West African duels the game ebbed and flowed as both took turns to dominate in spells, but the scorpions defense failed to wake up from their lethargy in the most decisive moments conceding two avoidable goals.

Gambia tried to step up the pressure but always managed to leave themselves looking vulnerable in central midfield with a shaky Sulayman Marr looking off the pace on Saturday afternoon.

Coach Tom Sainttfiet threw on Modou Barrow, Bologna star Musa Barrow and new forward inclusion Dembo Darboe but all to no avail and, in any case, the scorpions deserved no better than the defeat – if that. Up next for the scorpions are fellow less-heralded opponent South Sudan.