U20 AFCON - Stefano Cusin: "Gambia reaching the final is no fluke"
U20 AFCON: Gambia as seen by their opponents. The Young Scorpions face Senegal in the final on Saturday 11 March at 17:00 GMT
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Is Gambia reaching the final a surprise to you?
No, not really. It's no fluke. In 2021, at the AFCON in Mauritania, they finished third. In Egypt, even though the players are different, Gambia have confirmed their progress. They work well in that country, and being in the final is logical, because their run has been excellent.
One thing stands out: the Gambians have won all their matches without conceding a single goal…
The same goes for Senegal. Indeed, the results of Gambia speak for themselves: this is a team that doesn't concede goals, because they defend well. It is very difficult to create chances against them. They went through the group stage by winning all their matches, against Tunisia (1-0), Zambia (2-0) and Benin (1-0). Then South Sudan were heavily beaten in the quarter-finals (0-5), and we really couldn't cause them any problems. And they played a very good game against Nigeria in the semi-final (1-0), with a bit of luck too, as the Nigerians missed a penalty. But be warned: Gambia are a team that attack a lot and play well. They are a balanced side who like to have the ball.
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Do they have any weaknesses?
Very few. I sometimes felt they were a little vulnerable at set pieces, especially corners.
"Gambia are above all a collective"
Which players made the best impression on you?
Gambia are above all a collective, whereas Senegal rely heavily on some of their individuals. However, a few players have stood out a little, such as defender and captain Alagie Saine, who plays in Denmark (Horsens), number 10 Kajally Drammeh (Cape Town City, South Africa), who is technically very interesting, and striker Adama Bojang (Steve Biko, Gambia), who scored three goals against us, as well as the goal in the semi-final.
Do Senegal remain the favourites for this final, all the same?
I'm not sure. It will be very open. Besides, it's a derby… Perhaps on paper Senegal are slightly ahead… I don't know, it will be 50-50. One thing is certain: the winner will deserve the title. But as far as Gambia are concerned, I can see that the country works well, that it develops good players and that it has the networks needed to place them in Europe, in good leagues. Their senior team reached the quarter-finals of the last AFCON in Cameroon, the under-20s are in the final, and they will be one of the nations to watch in the future…
Alexis BILLEBAULT