By Seedy Jobe
Scorpions head coach Johnathan McKinstry has named a 25-man squad for The Gambia’s opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia and Ghana, saying the team must be prepared to overcome significant challenges if it is to secure a place at next year’s tournament in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Speaking at a news conference at the Gambia Football Federation headquarters in Kanifing, McKinstry said the start of the qualifying campaign represented an important moment for the national team.
The Gambia has been drawn into what McKinstry described as a difficult group, but he said competing at the highest level inevitably requires facing strong opposition.
“We have to overcome big challenges,” McKinstry said, adding that he believes the players, coaching staff and federation have what it takes to achieve their objective of reaching the continental tournament.
McKinstry said the opening matches against Somalia and Ghana would present markedly different challenges and that his squad had been selected with both opponents in mind.
Despite Somalia’s position in the world rankings, McKinstry warned against underestimating the Ocean Stars. He noted that Somalia have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches, including an away draw against Guinea last year, while their defeats have come by narrow margins of 1-0 and 2-1.
He said Somalia has also strengthened their squad with an increasing number of diaspora players.
The match will carry added significance for The Gambia, marking the Scorpions’ first appearance at Independence Stadium since 2021 and their first there in front of supporters since November 2019.
McKinstry acknowledged the excitement surrounding the national team’s return to Bakau but cautioned that players must not allow the occasion to distract them from the task at hand.
He said the team would need to remain composed and focused while using the energy of the home crowd to its advantage.
The Scorpions will then face Ghana in a match McKinstry expects to pose a different challenge.
He described the Black Stars as an experienced and well-organized side, pointing to their performances at the World Cup, where their matches were closely contested, including a 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
McKinstry said Ghana could be particularly dangerous after missing the last Africa Cup of Nations following a disappointing qualifying campaign.
“A wounded animal is sometimes the most dangerous,” he said, adding that the Scorpions would have to be at their best against the Black Stars.
McKinstry also explained several notable absences from the final squad. Four players named in the initial 35-man preliminary list were unavailable for selection.
Abdoulie Manneh has not recovered in time from an injury sustained at Cercle Brugge, while Adama Sidibeh remains in recovery and was expected to feature for Stockport County. Musa Barrow suffered a hamstring injury on Sept. 7 and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Momodou Jobe, who recently moved from Cambridge City to Stockport County, was also left out after limited playing time in recent weeks. McKinstry said that after discussions with the player, they agreed it would be better for him to settle at his new club and be reconsidered for the November international window once he is playing regularly.
Those absences left 31 players available, from whom McKinstry selected his final 25-man squad.
The Gambia Squad
Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye, Sheikh Sibi, Ebrima Jarju.
Defenders: Omar Colley, Yaya Bojang, James Gomez, Alagie Saine, Joseph Colley, Ibou Touray, Sainey Sanyang, Joseph Ceesay.
Midfielders: Ebrima Adams, Abubakarr Barry, Mouhamadou Drammeh, Mahmudu Bajo, Karamba Gassama, Saidou Khan.
Forwards: Suleiman Camara, Ebrima Colley, Abdoulie Sanyang, Alieu Fadera, Alasana Yirajang, Abdoulie Ceesay, Adama Bojang, Mohamed Badamosi.
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