U20 World Cup: great enthusiasm in Gambia after the victory of the little Scorpions against the France

The capital feat of Gambia at the Under-20 World Cup against France (2-1) has caused a great jubilation in this small country of 2 million inhabitants which is beginning to take its place on the map of African football.

The joy of young Gambian Scorpions (Illustration). © Courtesy of CAF

Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

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President Adama Barrow tweeted to congratulate the Gambian under-20 team. "Congratulations to the young Scorpions," writes the President of the Gambian Republic. The victory against France is a big performance (..) I wish you good luck for the next matches. »

Like the president, almost the entire Gambia was enthusiastic about this tremendous feat of the young Gambians, who, after beating Honduras in the first match, offered themselves the team of France, winners of the competition in 2013. "It's fantastic, it's a performance, a result that nobody thought possible," said Tom Sainfiet, coach of Gambia's A team. "At the end of the game, a lot of people gathered in Westfield to celebrate the victory of the young Gambians. It's highly symbolic to beat the France in a World Cup," said Omar Jarju, a journalist and vice-president of BST Galaxy in Gambia's second division.

The Gambia does not have a stadium up to standards

Westfield, the central square between Brikama and Banjul, is often the meeting place for all kinds of events. Admittedly, there were fewer people than during the exploits of the Scorpions during the CAN 2022, but "it was the first time that there was so much enthusiasm for a match that only concerned players under 20 years old," says Jarju.

Gambia, which had already achieved a big feat by going to the quarter-finals for its very first CAN in 2022, never ceases to amaze the world of African football. After the final of the U20 AFCON, the Scorpions prove with the victory against France that Gambian football is on the right track. "It shows that there is good work with the Federations, clubs and all the academies working in The Gambia," says Tom Saintfiet. It also proves that we have new talent and that's really fantastic for a small country like Gambia.

The enthusiasm of victory against France continued this Friday morning on television and radio in the country. The interactive sports broadcasts were an opportunity for fans to demand more resources from the State to support Gambian football, which shines by its results. Today, however, Gambia is forced to play its international matches abroad (Senegal or Morocco) due to a lack of stadium standards.

Bravo Young #Scorpions!
2:1 win over France is a great achievement.

Now with two wins, The #Gambia qualifies for the #FIFAU20WorldCup round of 16. I wish you the best of luck for the next rounds. pic.twitter.com/XJUlyGjIDE

— President Barrow (@BarrowPresident) May 25, 2023

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• Gambia
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