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Gambia national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Gambia women's national football team.

The Gambia national football team (recognized at 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).

Gambia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Scorpions
AssociationGambia Football Federation (GFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachTom Saintfiet
CaptainOmar Colley
Most capsOmar Colley (49)
Top scorerAssan Ceesay (13)
Home stadiumIndependence Stadium
FIFA codeGAM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 126 Decrease 9 (30 November 2023)[1]
Highest65 (June 2009)
Lowest179 (March 2017)
First international
 British Gambia 2–1 Sierra Leone
(Gambia; 9 February 1953)
Biggest win
 Gambia 6–0 Lesotho 
(Bakau, Gambia; 13 October 2002)
Biggest defeat
 Guinea 8–0 Gambia 
(Guinea; 14 May 1972)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 2021)
Best resultQuarter-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

 
Football fans watching Gambia v Guinea

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

Main article: Gambia national football team results (2020–present)

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
  • K. Doumbia   3'
  • A. Traoré   90+5'
 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   v   Ivory Coast Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
17:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa (National Stadium)

Coaching staff edit

In July 2018, former Togo and Zimbabwe coach Tom Saintfiet, was appointed as head coach. Saintfiet took over from former international Sang Ndong who is now technical director of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) following the end of his contract in January.[9]

Head coach   Tom Saintfiet
Team Manager   Ousman Drammeh
Assistant coach   Alagie Sarr
Physical Coach   Ibrahim Diomandeh
Goalkeeper coach   Alhagie Marong
Goalkeeper coach   Adama Colley
Team Doctor   Pa Landing
Physiotherapist   Terrence Ceesay
Physiotherapist   Yahya Traoreh
Equipment Manager   Mustapha Kassama
Technical Assistant   Ismail Barrow
Coach-analyst   Omar Sidibeh
International Scout   Cody Sanneh

Coaching history edit

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers match against Burundi and Ivory Coast on 16 and 20 November 2023, respectively.[10]

Caps and goals correct as of 16 November 2023, after the match against Burundi.[11]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Modou Jobe (1988-10-27) 27 October 1988 (age 35) 30 0   Black Leopards
1GK Baboucarr Gaye (1998-02-24) 24 February 1998 (age 25) 17 0   Lokomotiv Sofia
1GK Lamin Sarr (2001-03-11) 11 March 2001 (age 22) 0 0   Eskilsminne IF
2DF Omar Colley (1992-10-24) 24 October 1992 (age 31) 48 1   Beşiktaş
2DF Bubacarr Sanneh (1994-11-14) 14 November 1994 (age 29) 36 1 Unattached
2DF Noah Sonko Sundberg (1996-06-06) 6 June 1996 (age 27) 16 0   Levski Sofia
2DF James Gomez (2001-11-14) 14 November 2001 (age 22) 15 1   Sparta Prague
2DF Saidy Janko (1995-10-22) 22 October 1995 (age 28) 7 0   Young Boys
2DF Muhammed Sanneh (2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 (age 23) 8 0   Baník Ostrava
2DF Ismaila Jome (1994-11-04) 4 November 1994 (age 29) 2 0   San Antonio
3MF Dawda Ngum (1990-09-02) 2 September 1990 (age 33) 21 0   Ariana
3MF Hamza Barry (1994-05-03) 3 May 1994 (age 29) 20 1   Vejle
3MF Ebou Adams (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 27) 14 0   Cardiff City
3MF Alasana Manneh (1998-04-08) 8 April 1998 (age 25) 10 0   Odense
3MF Alieu Fadera (2001-11-03) 3 November 2001 (age 22) 2 0   Zulte Waregem
3MF Mahmudu Bajo (2004-08-15) 15 August 2004 (age 19) 0 0   Železiarne Podbrezová
3MF Jacob Mendy (1996-12-27) 27 December 1996 (age 26) 0 0   Wrexham
4FW Assan Ceesay (1994-03-17) 17 March 1994 (age 29) 35 13   Damac
4FW Musa Barrow (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 25) 32 6   Al Taawoun
4FW Ablie Jallow (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 25) 27 7   Metz
4FW Ebrima Colley (2000-02-01) 1 February 2000 (age 23) 21 1   Young Boys
4FW Muhammed Badamosi (1998-12-27) 27 December 1998 (age 24) 18 2   Čukarički
4FW Abdoulie Sanyang (1999-05-08) 8 May 1999 (age 24) 12 0   Grenoble

Recent call ups edit

The following players have also been called up to the Gambia squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Ibou Touray (1994-12-24) 24 December 1994 (age 28) 20 0   Stockport County v.   Congo, 10 September 2023
DF Marian Sarr (1995-01-30) 30 January 1995 (age 28) 0 0   Union Titus Pétange v.   Mali, 28 March 2023
MF Sulayman Marreh (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 27) 34 1   Hapoel Haifa v.   Congo, 10 September 2023
MF Sainey Njie (2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 (age 22) 3 0   Radnik Surdulica v.   Congo, 10 September 2023
MF Jesper Ceesay (2001-10-20) 20 October 2001 (age 22) 0 0   IFK Norrköping v.   Congo, 10 September 2023
MF Saidou Khan (1995-12-05) 5 December 1995 (age 28) 0 0   Swindon Town v.   Congo, 10 September 2023
MF Alfusainey Jatta (1999-08-05) 5 August 1999 (age 24) 0 0   RFS v.   Mali, 28 March 2023
FW Yankuba Minteh (2004-07-22) 22 July 2004 (age 19) 1 1   Feyenoord v.   Congo, 10 September 2023
FW Ali Sowe (1994-06-14) 14 June 1994 (age 29) 9 0   MKE Ankaragücü v.   Mali, 28 March 2023
FW Yusupha Njie (1994-01-03) 3 January 1994 (age 29) 6 0   Al-Markhiya v.   Mali, 28 March 2023

WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player has retired from international football.
SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records edit

As of 14 June 2023[12]
Players in bold are still active with Gambia.

Most appearances edit

 
Omar Colley is Gambia's most capped player with 45 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Omar Colley 45 1 2012–present
2 Pa Modou Jagne 43 2 2006–present
3 Bubacarr Sanneh 38 1 2012–present
Ebrima Sohna 38 3 2007–present
5 Assan Ceesay 36 13 2013–present
6 Sulayman Marreh 35 1 2011–present
7 Abdou Jammeh 33 2 2006–2015
8 Musa Barrow 32 5 2018–present
9 Modou Jobe 29 0 2007–present
10 Ablie Jallow 27 7 2015–present

Top goalscorer edit

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Assan Ceesay 13 35 0.37 2013–present
2 Ablie Jallow 7 27 0.26 2015–present
3 Momoudou Ceesay 6 16 0.38 2010–2015
4 Omar Samba 5 11 0.45 1995–2002
Jatto Ceesay 5 17 0.29 1994–2007
Mustapha Jarju 5 26 0.19 2006–2013
Musa Barrow 5 32 0.16 2018–present
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–present

Competitive record edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1930 Part of   United Kingdom Part of   United Kingdom
  1934
  1938
  1950
  1954
  1958
  1962
  1966
  1970 did not enter did not enter
  1974
  1978
  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 2 0 0 2 2 5
      2030 to be determined
  2034
Total – 0/25 – – – – – – 28 6 6 16 24 43

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 Qualified
  2025 to be determined
      2027
Total Quarter-finals 1/33 5 3 1 1 4 3

Honours edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  3. ^ "The Gambia". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  4. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Gambia". World Football Elo Rankings. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Gambia – List of International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  6. ^ "Gambia v Lesotho, 13 October 2002". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  7. ^ "The Gambia disqualified from all Caf competitions". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  8. ^ "Gambia National Stadium". Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Tom Saintfiet named new Gambia coach". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 July 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  11. ^ https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017610
  12. ^ "Gambia". National Football Teams.

External links edit

 
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