The Gambia national football team (recognized as The Gambia by FIFA)[3] represents The Gambia in men's international football and is controlled by the Gambia Football Federation. Until 1965, the team and the country were known as British Gambia. The team has never qualified for the World Cup. In 2021, Gambia qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in history. The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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| Nickname(s) | The Scorpions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Gambia Football Federation (GFF) | ||
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
| Sub-confederation | WAFU (West Africa) | ||
| Head coach | Johnny McKinstry | ||
| Captain | Omar Colley | ||
| Most caps | Omar Colley (50) | ||
| Top scorer | Assan Ceesay (13) | ||
| Home stadium | Independence Stadium | ||
| FIFA code | GAM | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 130  (4 April 2024)[1] | ||
| Highest | 65 (June 2009) | ||
| Lowest | 179 (March 2017) | ||
| First international | |||
 British Gambia 2–1 Sierra Leone  (Gambia; 9 February 1953) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
 Gambia 12-1 Seychelles  (Bakau, Gambia; 13 October 2002) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 Guinea 8–0 Gambia (Guinea; 14 May 1972) | |||
| Africa Cup of Nations | |||
| Appearances | 2 (first in 2021) | ||
| Best result | Quarter-finals (2021) | ||
History edit
Under the name British Gambia, the team played their first ever game on 9 February 1953 against Sierra Leone, winning 2–1 at home in a friendly.[4] In April 1963, the team entered the L'Amitié tournament in Senegal, a competition mainly for French-speaking nations. They were drawn in a group with France's amateur team, the Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) and Gabon. Their first match was lost 5–1 to the French amateurs on 11 April. The Gambia drew 2–2 with the Upper Volta on 13 April, and had the same result the very next day versus Gabon. The Gambia did not advance to the next round.
After the tournament in Senegal, the Gambia did not play another match until 16 November 1968, when they travelled to Sierra Leone to play its team in a friendly and lost 2–1. They played again in Sierra Leone in The Gambia's next match on 24 April 1971, and the hosts won 3–1. On 2 May 1971, The Gambia travelled to Guinea for a friendly and lost 4–2. On 14 May 1972, The Gambia returned to Guinea for their first African Games qualifier and lost 8–0 and were knocked out.
In 1975, the Gambia entered its first qualification campaign for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Canada. They were drawn in a qualifier against Guinea, and lost the first leg 1–0 at home on 27 April 1975. The second leg was lost 6–0 in Guinea on 1 June as Guinea advanced 7–0 on aggregate.
In August of that same year, the Gambia entered their first qualification for the African Cup of Nations, with the aim of reaching the 1976 finals in Ethiopia. They were drawn in a two-legged qualifier against Morocco and lost the first leg 3–0 away on 10 August. They lost by the same score in their home leg on 24 August and Morocco advanced 6–0 on aggregate.
After the qualification campaign for the 1976 finals, The Gambia played their first match against a full European side, losing a home friendly 4–1 to Denmark on 30 January 1977.[5]
On 12 October 2002, the team got their biggest ever victory in international competition, a 6–0 victory against Lesotho.[6]
In May 2014, the Gambia was banned from all CAF competitions for two years after deliberately falsifying players' ages.[7]
The nation's fortunes improved in qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Although they failed to qualify, they took it to the final round of games, including drawing twice with African giants Algeria.
On 13 November, in their first Group D match of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Gambia defeated Angola 1–3 in Luanda. This was the Scorpions' first away win in an AFCON or FIFA World Cup qualifier ever, at their 40th attempt. An impressive campaign saw them qualify for their first ever major tournament that year. As the lowest-ranked team in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the Gambia defied the odds by defeating favourites Tunisia in the group stage, finishing unbeaten in 2nd place in the group. A further win against Guinea in the Round of 16 saw them reach the quarter-finals at their first attempt, eventually going out to tournament hosts Cameroon.
Home stadium edit
Independence Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bakau, Gambia. It is currently used mostly for football matches, although it is also used for music concerts, political events, trade fairs and national celebrations. The stadium holds 30,000 people.[8]
Results and fixtures edit
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023 edit
| 24 March 2023 AFCON qualification | Mali  | 2–0 | Gambia | Bamako, Mali |
| 19:00 UTC±0 |
|
Report | Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso) |
| 28 March 2023 AFCON qualification | Gambia | 1–0 | Mali | Casablanca, Morocco |
| 16:00 UTC±0 |
|
Report | Stadium: Stade Mohamed V Referee: Kouassi Attisso Attiogbe (Togo) |
| 14 June 2023 AFCON qualification | South Sudan  | 2–3 | Gambia | Ismailia, Egypt |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Suez Canal Stadium Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania) |
| 10 September 2023 AFCON qualification | Gambia | 2–2 |  Congo | Marrakesh, Morocco |
| 20:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade de Marrakech Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt) |
| 16 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Burundi  | 3–2 | Gambia | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| 16:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa (National Stadium) Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin) |
| 20 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Gambia | 0–2 |  Ivory Coast | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
| 17:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa (National Stadium) Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco) |
2024 edit
| 15 January 2023 AFCON GS | Senegal  | 3–0 | Gambia | Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast |
| 14:00 UTC±0 | Report | Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium Attendance: 7,896 Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco) |
| 19 January 2023 AFCON GS | Guinea | 1–0 | Gambia | Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast |
|
Report | Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium Attendance: 19,822 Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania) |
| 23 January 2023 AFCON GS | Gambia | 2–3 |  Cameroon | Bouaké, Ivory Coast |
| 17:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stade de la Paix Attendance: 24,172 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) |
| 8 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Gambia | 5-1 | Seychelles | Berkane, Morroco |
| 17:00 UTC+1 | Report |
|
Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium Attendance: 700 Referee: Joseph Odey Ogabor (Nigeria) |
| 11 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Gabon  | 3-2 | Gambia | Franceville, Gabon |
| 20:00 UTC+1 | J. Allevinah  52'
P. Aubameyang 70' |
Report | Yankuba Minteh Template:Goall33 Ebou Adams Template:Goall79 | Stadium: Stade de Franceville |
Coaching history edit
Hans Heiniger (1987–1992)
Sang Ndong (1992-1994)- Sang Ndong (1994–2003)
Antoine Hey (2006–2007)
José Martínez (2007–2008)
Paul Put (2008–2011)- Peter Bonu Johnson (2011–2012)
Luciano Mancini (2012–2013)- Peter Bonu Johnson (2013–2015)
- Raoul Savoy (2015)
- Sang Ndong (2016–2018)
- Tom Saintfiet (2018–2024)
Johnny McKinstry (2024–)
Players edit
Current squad edit
The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Seychelles and Gabon on 8 and 11 June 2024.[9]
Caps and goals correct as of 23 January 2023, after the match against Cameroon.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Sheikh Sibi | 21 February 1998 | 3 | 0 |  Virtus Verona
| |
| GK | Ebrima Jarju | 16 March 1998 | 0 | 0 |  Paide
| |
| GK | Lamin Sarr | 11 March 2001 | 0 | 0 |  Eskilsminne IF
| |
| DF | Omar Colley | 24 October 1992 | 51 | 1 |  Beşiktaş
| |
| DF | Muhammed Sanneh | 19 February 2000 | 10 | 0 |  Baník Ostrava
| |
| DF | Omar Gaye | 18 September 1998 | 3 | 0 | Chieti
| |
| DF | Dadi Gaye | 21 March 1995 | 1 | 0 |  Strømsgodset
| |
| DF | Edrissa Ceesay | 16 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | ASC Jaraaf
| |
| DF | Dembo Saidykhan | 20 January 2004 | 0 | 0 |  Vancouver Whitecaps 2[a]
| |
| DF | Sainey Sanyang | 18 April 2003 | 0 | 0 |  CSKA Sofia
| |
| MF | Ablie Jallow | 14 November 1998 | 32 | 8 |  Metz
| |
| MF | Yusupha Bobb | 22 June 1996 | 20 | 0 |  KAC Marrakech
| |
| MF | Ebou Adams | 15 January 1996 | 16 | 0 |  Cardiff City
| |
| MF | Alasana Manneh | 8 April 1998 | 12 | 0 |  Odense
| |
| MF | Mahmudu Bajo | 15 August 2004 | 0 | 0 |  Podbrezová
| |
| FW | Musa Barrow | 14 November 1998 | 38 | 6 |  Al Taawoun
| |
| FW | Ebrima Colley | 1 February 2000 | 24 | 2 |  Young Boys
| |
| FW | Muhammed Badamosi | 27 December 1998 | 22 | 2 |  Čukarički
| |
| FW | Abdoulie Sanyang | 8 May 1999 | 14 | 0 | Grenoble
| |
| FW | Alieu Fadera | 3 November 2001 | 7 | 0 |  K.R.C. Genk
| |
| FW | Yankuba Minteh | 22 July 2004 | 5 | 2 |  Feyenoord
| |
| FW | Musa Juwara | 26 December 2001 | 1 | 0 | Vejle
| |
| FW | Adama Bojang | 28 May 2004 | 0 | 0 | Reims
| |
| FW | Adama Sidibeh | 25 June 1998 | 0 | 0 |  St Johnstone
| |
Recent call ups edit
The following players have also been called up to the Gambia squad within the last twelve months.
Records edit
- As of 20 November 2023[10]
- Players in bold are still active with Gambia.
Most appearances edit
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| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Colley | 50 | 1 | 2012–present |
| 2 | Pa Modou Jagne | 43 | 2 | 2006–2022 |
| 3 | Assan Ceesay | 39 | 13 | 2013–present |
| Bubacarr Sanneh | 39 | 1 | 2012–present | |
| 5 | Ebrima Sohna | 38 | 3 | 2007–2022 |
| 6 | Musa Barrow | 35 | 6 | 2018–present |
| Sulayman Marreh | 35 | 1 | 2011–present | |
| 8 | Abdou Jammeh | 33 | 2 | 2006–2015 |
| 9 | Modou Jobe | 31 | 0 | 2007–present |
| 10 | Ablie Jallow | 30 | 7 | 2015–present |
Top goalscorer edit
| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assan Ceesay | 13 | 39 | 0.33 | 2013–present |
| 2 | Ablie Jallow | 7 | 30 | 0.23 | 2015–present |
| 3 | Momoudou Ceesay | 6 | 16 | 0.38 | 2010–2015 |
| Musa Barrow | 6 | 35 | 0.17 | 2018–present | |
| 5 | Omar Samba | 5 | 11 | 0.45 | 1995–2002 |
| Jatto Ceesay | 5 | 17 | 0.29 | 1994–2007 | |
| Mustapha Jarju | 5 | 26 | 0.19 | 2006–2013 | |
| 8 | Samuel Kargbo | 3 | 9 | 0.33 | 1994–1996 |
| Njogu Demba-Nyrén | 3 | 15 | 0.2 | 2006–2011 | |
| Edrissa Sonko | 3 | 16 | 0.19 | 1996–2008 | |
| Aziz Corr Nyang | 3 | 17 | 0.18 | 2002–2011 | |
| Bubacarr Jobe | 3 | 17 | 0.18 | 2018–present | |
| Mamadou Danso | 3 | 20 | 0.15 | 2011–2019 | |
| Ebrima Ebou Sillah | 3 | 24 | 0.13 | 1996–2008 | |
| Ebrima Sohna | 3 | 38 | 0.08 | 2007–2022 |
Competitive record edit
FIFA World Cup edit
| FIFA World Cup | Qualification | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1930 to 1950 | Part of  United Kingdom
|
Part of United Kingdom
| |||||||||||||
| 1954 to 1966 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||
| 1970 to 1978 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
 1982
|
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
 1986
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||
| 1990
|
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
| 1994
|
Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
 1998
|
Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||
  2002
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||
 2006
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
 2010
|
6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 | |||||||||
 2014
|
6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | |||||||||
 2018
|
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
 2022
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
 2026
|
To be determined | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||
 2030
|
To be determined | ||||||||||||||
| 2034
| |||||||||||||||
| Total | – | 0/14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 29 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 29 | 44 | |
Africa Cup of Nations edit
| Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
 1957 to  1963
|
Part of United Kingdom | |||||||
 1965 |
Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
 1968 to  1974
|
did not enter | |||||||
 1976
|
did not qualify | |||||||
| 1978
|
did not enter | |||||||
 1980 to 1988
|
did not qualify | |||||||
 1990
|
Withdrew | |||||||
| 1992
|
did not qualify | |||||||
| 1994
|
did not enter | |||||||
| 1996
|
Withdrew during qualifying | |||||||
 1998
|
Banned for withdrawing in 1996 | |||||||
| 2000
|
Withdrew | |||||||
| 2002 to 2013
|
did not qualify | |||||||
 2015
|
Banned | |||||||
| 2017 |
did not qualify | |||||||
 2019
| ||||||||
| 2021 |
Quarter-finals | 6th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| 2023 |
Group stage | 23rd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 2025 |
to be determined | |||||||
   2027
| ||||||||
| Total | Quarter-finals | 2/33 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
Honours edit
- Amilcar Cabral Cup
- Runners-up (3): 1980, 1985, 2001
Notes edit
- ^ Vancouver Whitecaps 2 is a Canadian club playing in the United States soccer league system.
References edit
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "The Gambia". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Gambia". World Football Elo Rankings. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- ^ "Gambia – List of International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ "Gambia v Lesotho, 13 October 2002". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- ^ "The Gambia disqualified from all Caf competitions". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ "Gambia National Stadium". Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ "Final Squad". Facebook. Gambia Football Federation. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Gambia". National Football Teams.
External links edit
- Official website of the Gambian Football Federation
- Gambia at CAF
- Gambia at FIFA