Due to the unavailability of 16 of the squad 28 players, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has announced the cancellation of the scheduled two preparatory matches that the Scorpions were to play against Algeria and Syria.
Gambia team led by Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has started a 10-days training camp in Doha, Qatar to prepare for their first participation in the finals of TotalEnergies Africa Cup of nations in their history.
In Cameroon, Gambia will start their Group F campaign against Mauritania (January 12), then face Mali (January 16) before concluding the group against 2004 champions Tunisia on January 20.
As part of the preparations, Tom Saintfiet’s proteges were scheduled to play this Saturday against reigning African champions Algeria, them to face Syria on Wednesday, January 5, also in Doha.
According to the official website of the Gambian Football Federation, the absent players are: Lamin Jallow (Fehervar, Hungary), Bubacarr Jobe (Norrby, Norway), Baboucarr Gaye (Rot-Weiss, Germany), Omar Colley (Sampdoria, Italy), Ebrima Sohna (Fortune FC, Gambia), Saïdy Janko (Real Vallalolid, Spain), Cheikh Sibi (Virtus Verona, Italy), Noah Sonko Sundberg (Ostersund, Sweden), Yusupha Njie (Boavista, Portugal), Steve Trawally (Ajman, United Arab Emirates), Ebou Adams (Forest Green Rovers, England), Ibou Touray (Salford City, England), Modou Jobe (Black Leopards, South Africa), Ablie Jallow (Seraing, Belgium), Modou Barrow (Jeonbuk, Hyundai Motors, South Korea) and Yusupha Bobb (Piacenza, Italy).
Saintfiet told GFF official website that his team has no goalkeeper with these 16 absences, so they are forced to cancel matches against Algeria and Syria.
"I was really looking forward to playing against Algeria and Syria to prepare for TotalEnergies AFCON,” said Saintfiet, adding that some others of his players are not yet present in Doha.