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Quarter-finalists at the previous edition in Cameroon and first-time participants at an Africa Cup of Nations, Gambia will be looking to build on their success at the AFCON 2023. The Scorpions are in Group C with Senegal, Cameroon and Guinea.Sport News Africa tells you more about the Gambian team.
The country
Capital: Banjul
Surface area: 11,300 km2
Population: 2,173,999
Official language: English
Inhabitants : Gambians / Gambiennes
Motto: Progress, Peace, Prosperity
Team nickname: The Scorpions
Gambia and the AFCON
Title: 0
Final: 0
Appearances prior to AFCON 2023: 1
Host country: 0
AFCON history
2021: Eliminated in the quarter-finals
AFCON record
6 matches
3 wins
1 draws
1 defeat
4 goals scored
3 goals conceded
The star: Omar Colley
Omar Colley, Gambian international for Besiktas
Born and trained in Gambia, he first played for the U17s and then the U20s before being called up to the first team in 2012. Since then, Omar Colley has established himself as the Scorpions' leader and captain. One of the team's most capped players (45 caps), he also made Gambian soccer history by leading his troops to the quarter-finals in 2022 for their first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 32-year-old rugged defender currently plays for Besiktas, where he signed up last February. He has scored 5 Süper Lig goals after 12 matches this season. Omar Colley has also played for Genk (Belgium) and Sampdoria (Italy). With his current form, he will be hoping to lead Gambia to glory at the 2023 edition in Côte d'Ivoire.
The coach: Tom Saintfiet
Tom Saintfiet, Gambia
Tom Saintfiet, Gambia coachA 50-year-old Belgian technician, Tom Saintfiet is, in a way, the symbol of the new face of Gambian soccer. He arrived in 2018 after stints in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, and successfully qualified the Scorpions for the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon with a memorable campaign.Gambia reached the quarter-finals after topping their group with 7 points, ahead of Mali and Tunisia. Stopped by Cameroon at this stage, Tom Saintfiet will attempt to repeat the feat at the AFCON 2023 in Côte d'Ivoire. He has once again succeeded in qualifying Gambia.
Gambia's schedule in Group C
January 15: Senegal - Gambia
January 19: Guinea - Gambia
January 23: Gambia - Cameroon
