Gambia names squad to face Algeria
- Friday, 24 February 2012
- Written by Modou Lamin Beyai
The head coach of the Gambia national team Peter Bonu Johnson has announced a 23-man squad for the nation’s upcoming 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Fennec foxes of Algeria that will take place next week Wednesday February 29 at the Independence Stadium.
The match will mark head coach Peter Bonu Johnson’s reign as head coach following his elevation and appointment as national team coach. Bonu Johnson signed his two year contract with the Government last week to begin a quest to qualify the country for the next African championship.
Four players decided to pull out of the squad due to one reason or the other. 31-year-old giant goal-keeper Pa Dembo Touray, who recently moved to South African ABSA Premiership side Engen Santos has asked the coach to excuse him from this game as he tries to settle in his new team.
Sainey Nyassi and Lamin Samateh alias Basment were also invited for the crunch tie but due to injuries they suffered, the duo will also missing the tie. Abdourahman Dampha, whose Swiss club Neuchâtel Xamax lost its licence in the Super League will also not be coming as he tries to find himself a new club so is Tijan Jaiteh also, who had his contract terminated months ago by Randers FC of Denmark.
Other notable absences includes Mustapha “Toubabo” Jarju’s team-mate Ibou Sawaneh and Gambia’s first German Bundesliga player Dawda Bah, playing for FC Augsburg who is currently out nursing an injury.
Meanwhile, Pa Saikou Kujabi, who joined Scottish premier league side Hibernian, is recalled to the squad after a long absence. The list consists of seven home-based players who are selected from the GFA First Division League.
Below is the 23-man squad chosen by head coach Peter Bonu Johnson:
Goal-keepers
01 Musa Camara – Gamtel [Gambia]
02 Alhagie Nyabally – Bakau United [Gambia]
03 Alagie Jobe alias Toldo – Real de Banjul [Gambia]
Defenders
04 Kebba Cessay – Djurgårdens IF [Sweden]
05 Abdou Jammeh – Kazma SC [Kuwait]
06 Mamadou “Futty” Danso – Portland Timbers [USA]
07 Ebrima Sohna – Sandefjord [Norway]
08 Emmanuel Gomez – Samger [Gambia]
09 Lamin Gibba – Wallidan [Gambia]
10 Pa Saikou Kujabi – Hibernian F.C [Scotland]
11 Omar Jawo – Syrianska FC [Sweden]
Midfielders
12 Baboucarr Savage - Real de Banjul [Gambia]
13 Pa Modou Jagne – FC St. Gallen [Switzerland]
14 Mustapha “Toubabo” Jarju – RAEC Mons [Belgium]
15 Aziz Corr Nyang – IF Brommapojkarna [Sweden]
16 Sanna Nyassi – Montreal Impact [Canada]
17 Saihou Gassama – Real Zaragoza [Spain]
18 Abdoulie “Kenny” Mansally – New England Revolution [USA]
19 Demba Savage – HJK Helsinki [Finland]
Strikers
20 Ousman Jallow – Çaykur Rizespor [Turkey]
21 Njogu Demba – Esbjerg fB [Denmark]
22 Momodou “Zico” Ceesay – MŠK Žilina [Slovakia]
23 Assan Ceesay alias Torres – Gamtel [Gambia]