Tom and Baks dream World Cup, Faye sounds early financial distress
Tom Saintfiet and technical staff. Photo credit: GFF Communications
By Ebrima KB Sonko
The Gambia’s Belgian tactician, Tom Saintfiet, has set himself a new target of qualifying the Gambia to World Cup 2026 after leading the path for a tiny West African country to its first qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Gambia qualified to the AFCON for the first time in her history following a narrow 1-0 win over Angola at home last week.
FC Zurich striker, Assan Ceesay scored the only goal in the 62nd minute which ensured the Scorpions book one of the two places from Group D.
With that milestone now out of the way and his contract extended until 2026, Coach Tom Saintfeit has quickly set his sights on qualifying the Gambia to the World Cup.
"The big aim for me is the World Cup 2026. In the World Cup 2026, these young players: Ebrima Colley, Musa Barrow, Ablie Jallow, Abdoulie Sanyang will all be getting more experience."
With places for African teams at the World Cup touted for increment from 5 to 9, the chances of the Gambia qualifying for another historical event will be higher he said. "Young players are coming; 2026 nine (9) African countries go to the World Cup. We become strong and get bigger, so I think the Gambia to aim for the highest." Tom said in the post-match press conference.
Reiterating the coach's aspirations to help the Gambia make another milestone by qualifying for the FIFA Men's World Cup was Bakary K. Jammeh, the Gambia Football Federation 1st Vice President. Mr Jammeh told Gambia Sports that the Gambia's qualification to the Africa Cup Nations will be followed by qualification to the World Cup.
"This is the first AFCON but many more Afcon will come, and we are going to look forward also to go to the World Cup," Jammeh said.
While many were rightly applauding the scorpion’s maiden qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations, the 2nd Vice President of the Gambia Football Federation, Ebou Faye is worried that lack of resources might hinder the progress of the National team.
"That's why when they were celebrating, I stood back because my thinking was how do we sustain this qualification, and we have the players, but we need the resources that are the financial resources. That's where the challenge comes in." Ebou Faye said.
The Gambia Football Federation, formerly known as Gambia Football Association, was formed in 1952 and affiliates with CAF and FIFA since 1966 and 1968, respectively. They have participated in numerous Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualifiers without any success despite her modest gains in CAF and sub-regional youth tournaments.