By: Amadou Bah
In the wake of the Gambia National Team’s unexpected early exit from the African Cup of Nations, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) took to their official Facebook page, offering apologies to the disappointed Gambian fans.
The GFF acknowledged the letdown and expressed gratitude to the Government of The Gambia, especially President Adama Barrow, for their financial backing during the tournament, which included addressing issues such as player bonuses and transportation.
Within the comment sections, sentiments varied.
A concerned fan boldly stated, “Our preparations and build-up to the second AFCON were terribly poor; that’s the main reason for our group stage elimination.”
Another fan stated, “Thanks for your service, but it’s time to resign honourably and let others take charge. Successes and failures happen, so give others a chance.”
Another voice sounded in, attributing the national team’s failure to a lack of proper preparation, planning, and player selection by the federation. “Heading to the AFCON, the federation wasn’t doing its job, leading to numerous distractions.”
While some appreciated the belated message from the federation, many criticised the perceived lateness. The consensus among fans was that inadequate preparation was the primary factor in the national team’s early exit from the tournament.
Despite assuring a meeting to assess their AFCON participation and make necessary decisions, doubts lingered about the transparency and accountability of the federation’s actions.
The GFF now grapples with the twofold challenge of addressing public disappointment over the national team’s performance and responding to serious allegations of corruption.
This real-life scenario underscores the pressing need for accountability and reform within the country’s football governance.