In a bold move, Gambia’s national football team coach, Tom Saintfiet, has opted for a squad of experienced players over their young players, who have been consistently active on the field. The decision comes after the team’s first training session ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Africa Cup of Nations is renowned for its challenging nature, demanding a high level of intensity and energy from participating teams.
Surprisingly, some of the selected players, such as Saul Marr and Yusupha Bobb, find themselves without club engagements, potentially casting a shadow on their form heading into the tournament.
Saintfiet emphasised his choice to prioritise seasoned players, stating, “I could have selected young players that are playing regularly with little experience and are yet to play for us but I decided to go for players with experience who have not played much.”
With The Gambia scheduled to face off against arch-rivals Senegal on the 15th of this month, the decision to include players who have been inactive for months raises questions about their readiness for such a crucial match.
As the Gambian team prepares to navigate the challenges of AFCON, Saintfiet’s unconventional choice will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized.
The outcome of the highly anticipated match against Senegal will serve as a test of whether experience can triumph over regular playing time in a tournament that demands peak physical condition and competitive prowess.