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Gambia national football team

(Redirected from The Gambia national football team)
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Gambia women's national football team.

The Gambia national football team (recognized as The Gambia by FIFA)[4] represents the Gambia in men's international football and is controlled by the Gambia Football Federation. Until 1965, the team and the country were known as British Gambia. The team has never qualified for the World Cup. In 2021, Gambia qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in history. The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Gambia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Scorpions
AssociationGambia Football Federation (GFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachJohnny McKinstry
CaptainOmar Colley
Most capsOmar Colley (54)
Top scorerAssan Ceesay (13)
Home stadiumIndependence Stadium
FIFA codeGAM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 128 Increase 7 (24 October 2024)[1]
Highest65 (June 2009)
Lowest179 (March 2017)
First international
 British Gambia 2–1 Sierra Leone
(Gambia; 9 February 1953)
Biggest win
 Gambia 6–0 Lesotho 
(Bakau, Gambia; 13 October 2002)[2]
Biggest defeat
 Guinea 8–0 Gambia 
(Guinea; 14 May 1972)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 2021)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2021)

History

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Under the name British Gambia, the team played their first ever game on 9 February 1953 against Sierra Leone, winning 2–1 at home in a friendly.[5] In April 1963, the team entered the L'Amitié tournament in Senegal, a competition mainly for French-speaking nations. They were drawn in a group with France's amateur team, the Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) and Gabon. Their first match was lost 5–1 to the French amateurs on 11 April. The Gambia drew 2–2 with the Upper Volta on 13 April, and had the same result the very next day versus Gabon. The Gambia did not advance to the next round.

After the tournament in Senegal, the Gambia did not play another match until 16 November 1968, when they travelled to Sierra Leone to play its team in a friendly and lost 2–1. They played again in Sierra Leone in The Gambia's next match on 24 April 1971, and the hosts won 3–1. On 2 May 1971, The Gambia travelled to Guinea for a friendly and lost 4–2. On 14 May 1972, The Gambia returned to Guinea for their first African Games qualifier and lost 8–0 and were knocked out.

In 1975, the Gambia entered its first qualification campaign for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Canada. They were drawn in a qualifier against Guinea, and lost the first leg 1–0 at home on 27 April 1975. The second leg was lost 6–0 in Guinea on 1 June as Guinea advanced 7–0 on aggregate.

In August of that same year, the Gambia entered their first qualification for the African Cup of Nations, with the aim of reaching the 1976 finals in Ethiopia. They were drawn in a two-legged qualifier against Morocco and lost the first leg 3–0 away on 10 August. They lost by the same score in their home leg on 24 August and Morocco advanced 6–0 on aggregate.

After the qualification campaign for the 1976 finals, The Gambia played their first match against a full European side, losing a home friendly 4–1 to Denmark on 30 January 1977.[6]

On 13 October 2002, the team got their biggest ever victory in international competition, a 6–0 victory against Lesotho.[2]

In May 2014, the Gambia was banned from all CAF competitions for two years after deliberately falsifying players' ages.[7]

The nation's fortunes improved in qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Although they failed to qualify, they took it to the final round of games, including drawing twice with African giants Algeria.

On 13 November, in their first Group D match of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Gambia defeated Angola 1–3 in Luanda. This was the Scorpions' first away win in an AFCON or FIFA World Cup qualifier ever, at their 40th attempt. An impressive campaign saw them qualify for their first ever major tournament that year. As the lowest-ranked team in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the Gambia defied the odds by defeating favourites Tunisia in the group stage, finishing unbeaten in 2nd place in the group. A further win against Guinea in the Round of 16 saw them reach the quarter-finals at their first attempt, eventually going out to tournament hosts Cameroon.

Home stadium

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Football fans watching Gambia v Guinea

Independence Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bakau, Gambia. It is currently used mostly for football matches, although it is also used for music concerts, political events, trade fairs and national celebrations. The stadium holds 30,000 people.[8]

Results and fixtures

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Main article: Gambia national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

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16 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Burundi   3–2   Gambia Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa (National Stadium)
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
20 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Gambia   0–2   Ivory Coast Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
17:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa (National Stadium)
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)

2024

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15 January 2023 AFCON GS Senegal   3–0   Gambia Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
14:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium
Attendance: 7,896
Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco)
19 January 2023 AFCON GS Guinea   1–0   Gambia Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
 Report Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium
Attendance: 19,822
Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania)
23 January 2023 AFCON GS Gambia   2–3   Cameroon Bouaké, Ivory Coast
17:00
Report
Stadium: Stade de la Paix
Attendance: 24,172
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
8 June 2026 World Cup qualification Gambia   5–1   Seychelles Berkane, Morroco
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium
Attendance: 700
Referee: Joseph Odey Ogabor (Nigeria)
11 June 2026 World Cup qualification Gabon   3–2   Gambia Franceville, Gabon
20:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade de Franceville
Referee: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia)
4 September 2025 AFCON qualification Comoros   1–1   Gambia El Jadida, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Chelangat Sabilla (Uganda)
8 September 2025 AFCON qualification Gambia   1–2   Tunisia El Jadida, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Tewodros Mitiku (Ethiopia)
11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) 2025 AFCON qualification Madagascar   1–1   Gambia Casablanca, Morocco
15:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium
Referee: Chelanget Sabila (Uganda)
14 October 2024 (2024-10-14) 2025 AFCON qualification Gambia   1–0   Madagascar El Jadida, Morocco
15:00 UTC+1 Barrow   62' Report Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
15 November 2024 (2024-11-15) 2025 AFCON qualification Gambia   v   Comoros
--:-- 
18 November 2024 (2024-11-18) 2025 AFCON qualification Tunisia   v   Gambia Tunis, Tunisia
--:-- UTC+1 Stadium: Hammadi Agrebi Stadium

2025

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28 May 2025 Friendly Honduras   v   Gambia Orlando, United States
Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium

Coaching history

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Management and staff

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Position Name
Head Coach   Johnny McKinstry
Assistant Coaches   Sulayman Ceesay
  Omar Barrow
Goalkeeping Coach   Musa Touray
Fitness Coach   Edrissa Jatta
Match Analyst   Alieu Drammeh
Doctors   Dr. Ousman Colley
  Dr. Alhagie Jawara
Physiotherapists   Ebrima Jallow
  Modou Jarra
  Alassan Fofanah
  Hassan Darboe
Team Coordinator   Adama Sanyang
Technical Director   Sang Ndong

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Comoros and Tunisia on 15 and 18 November 2024.[9]

Caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2024, after the second match against Madagascar.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Sheikh Sibi (1998-02-21) 21 February 1998 (age 26) 5 0   Virtus Verona
1GK Ebrima Jarju (1998-03-16) 16 March 1998 (age 26) 4 0   Paide
1GK Lamin Saidy (2001-06-17) 17 June 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Real de Banjul
2DF Omar Colley (captain) (1992-10-24) 24 October 1992 (age 32) 56 1   PAOK
2DF Ibou Touray (1994-12-24) 24 December 1994 (age 29) 25 0   Stockport County
2DF Jacob Mendy (1996-12-27) 27 December 1996 (age 27) 3 0   Wrexham
2DF Joseph Ceesay (1998-06-03) 3 June 1998 (age 26) 4 0   Cesena
2DF Dadi Gaye (1995-03-21) 21 March 1995 (age 29) 1 0   Strømsgodset
2DF Momodou Lion Njie (2001-12-10) 10 December 2001 (age 22) 0 0   KFUM Oslo
2DF Baboucarr Njie (1995-06-05) 5 June 1995 (age 29) 0 0   San Antonio
3MF Ablie Jallow (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 26) 36 8   Metz
3MF Ebou Adams (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28) 22 1   Derby County
3MF Ebrima Darboe (2001-06-06) 6 June 2001 (age 23) 18 0   Frosinone
3MF Alasana Manneh (1998-04-08) 8 April 1998 (age 26) 17 0   Odense
3MF Mahmudu Bajo (2004-08-15) 15 August 2004 (age 20) 2 0   FC DAC 1904
3MF Abubakr Barry (2000-07-02) 2 July 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Austria Wien
4FW Musa Barrow (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 26) 44 9   Al Taawoun
4FW Ali Sowe (1994-06-14) 14 June 1994 (age 30) 16 1   Çaykur Rizespor
4FW Abdoulie Sanyang (1999-05-08) 8 May 1999 (age 25) 15 0   Hajduk Split
4FW Alieu Fadera (2001-11-03) 3 November 2001 (age 23) 13 0   Como
4FW Yankuba Minteh (2004-07-22) 22 July 2004 (age 20) 11 4   Brighton & Hove Albion
4FW Suleiman Camara (2001-12-07) 7 December 2001 (age 22) 1 0   Racing de Santander
4FW Abdoulie Ceesay (2004-01-05) 5 January 2004 (age 20) 1 0   Paide
4FW Alassana Jatta (1999-01-12) 12 January 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Notts County

Recent call ups

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The following players have also been called up to the Gambia squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Lamin Sarr (2001-03-11) 11 March 2001 (age 23) 0 0   Lunds BK v.   Gabon, 11 June 2024
GK Modou Jobe (1988-10-27) 27 October 1988 (age 36) 31 0   Black Leopards 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
GK Baboucarr Gaye (1998-02-24) 24 February 1998 (age 26) 21 0   Lokomotiv Sofia 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF James Gomez (2001-11-14) 14 November 2001 (age 23) 23 1   Odense v.   Madagascar, 14 October 2024
DF Edrissa Ceesay (2001-04-16) 16 April 2001 (age 23) 3 0   Jedinstvo Ub v.   Tunisia, 8 September 2024
DF Sainey Sanyang (2003-04-18) 18 April 2003 (age 21) 0 0   CSKA Sofia v.   Tunisia, 8 September 2024
DF Muhammed Sanneh (2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 (age 24) 12 0 Free Agent v.   Gabon, 11 June 2024
DF Omar Gaye (1998-09-18) 18 September 1998 (age 26) 5 0 Free Agent v.   Gabon, 11 June 2024
DF Dembo Saidykhan (2004-01-20) 20 January 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Vancouver Whitecaps 2 v.   Gabon, 11 June 2024
DF Bubacarr Sanneh (1994-11-14) 14 November 1994 (age 30) 40 1   FK Zvijezda 09 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Dawda Ngum (1990-09-02) 2 September 1990 (age 34) 21 0   Ariana 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Noah Sonko Sundberg (1996-06-06) 6 June 1996 (age 28) 18 0   Ludogorets Razgrad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Saidy Janko (1995-10-22) 22 October 1995 (age 29) 10 0   Young Boys 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF Sulayman Bojang (1997-09-03) 3 September 1997 (age 27) 6 0   Skeid 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Ismaila Jome (1994-11-04) 4 November 1994 (age 30) 2 0   Oakland Roots 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Alagie Saine (2003-01-20) 20 January 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Horsens 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Saidou Khan (1995-12-05) 5 December 1995 (age 28) 1 0   Swindon Town v.   Madagascar, 14 October 2024
MF Hamza Barry (1994-05-03) 3 May 1994 (age 30) 28 1   Vejle v.   Tunisia, 8 September 2024
MF Yusupha Bobb (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 28) 21 0   KAC Marrakech v.   Gabon, 11 June 2024
MF Sulayman Marreh (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28) 35 1   Železničar Pančevo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
MF Bubacarr Jobe (1994-11-21) 21 November 1994 (age 29) 10 3   Kristianstad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Sainey Njie (2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 (age 23) 5 0   Radnik Surdulica 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Jesper Ceesay (2003-05-04) 4 May 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Norrköping 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Saikou Touray (2000-06-06) 6 June 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Grenoble 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Muhammed Badamosi (1998-12-27) 27 December 1998 (age 25) 26 4   Čukarički v.   Madagascar, 14 October 2024
FW Ebrima Colley (2000-02-01) 1 February 2000 (age 24) 28 2   Young Boys v.   Tunisia, 8 September 2024
FW Musa Juwara (2001-12-26) 26 December 2001 (age 22) 5 0   Vejle v.   Tunisia, 8 September 2024
FW Adama Sidibeh (1998-06-25) 25 June 1998 (age 26) 4 1   St Johnstone v.   Tunisia, 8 September 2024
FW Adama Bojang (2004-05-28) 28 May 2004 (age 20) 1 0   Reims v.   Gabon, 11 June 2024
FW Assan Ceesay (1994-03-17) 17 March 1994 (age 30) 41 13   Damac 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
FW Lamin Jallow (1994-07-22) 22 July 1994 (age 30) 19 1   Fidelis Andria 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Dembo Darboe (1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 (age 26) 5 0   Astana 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE

WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player has retired from international football.
SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records

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As of 14 October 2024[10]
Players in bold are still active with Gambia.

Most appearances

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Omar Colley is Gambia's most capped player with 54 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Omar Colley 54 1 2012–present
2 Musa Barrow 44 9 2018-present
3 Pa Modou Jagne 43 2 2006–2022
4 Assan Ceesay 41 13 2013–present
5 Bubacarr Sanneh 40 1 2012–present
6 Ebrima Sohna 38 3 2007–2022
7 Sulayman Marreh 35 1 2011–present
8 Abdou Jammeh 33 2 2006–2015
9 Ablie Jallow 32 8 2015–present
10 Modou Jobe 31 0 2007–present

Top goalscorer

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Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Assan Ceesay 13 41 0.32 2013–present
2 Musa Barrow 9 44 0.2 2018–present
3 Ablie Jallow 8 32 0.25 2015–present
4 Momoudou Ceesay 6 16 0.38 2010–2015
5 Omar Samba 5 11 0.45 1995–2002
Jatto Ceesay 5 17 0.29 1994–2007
Mustapha Jarju 5 26 0.19 2006–2013
8 Yankuba Minteh 4 10 0.4 2022–present
Muhammed Badamosi 4 24 0.17 2018–present
10 Samuel Kargbo 3 9 0.33 1994–1996
Njogu Demba-Nyrén 3 15 0.2 2006–2011
Edrissa Sonko 3 16 0.19 1996–2008
Aziz Corr Nyang 3 17 0.18 2002–2011
Bubacarr Jobe 3 17 0.18 2018–present
Mamadou Danso 3 20 0.15 2011–2019
Ebrima Ebou Sillah 3 24 0.13 1996–2008
Ebrima Sohna 3 38 0.08 2007–2022

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1950 Part of   United Kingdom Part of   United Kingdom
1954 to 1966 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1970 to 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
  1982 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 2 1
  1986 2 1 0 1 3 6
  1990 Did not enter Did not enter
  1994 Withdrew Withdrew
  1998 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 5
    2002 2 0 0 2 0 3
  2006 2 1 0 1 2 3
  2010 6 2 3 1 6 3
  2014 6 1 1 4 4 11
  2018 2 0 1 1 2 3
  2022 2 0 0 2 1 3
      2026 To be determined 3 1 0 3 9 9
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total – 0/14 – – – – – – 30 7 6 17 31 47

Africa Cup of Nations

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Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
  1957 to   1963 Part of United Kingdom
  1965 Not affiliated to CAF
  1968 to   1974 Did not enter
  1976 Did not qualify
  1978 Did not enter
  1980 to   1988 Did not qualify
  1990 Withdrew
  1992 Did not qualify
  1994 Did not enter
  1996 Withdrew during qualifying
  1998 Banned for withdrawing in 1996
    2000 Withdrew
  2002 to   2013 Did not qualify
  2015 Banned
  2017 Did not qualify
  2019
  2021 Quarter-finals 6th 5 3 1 1 4 3
  2023 Group stage 23rd 3 0 0 3 2 7
  2025 To be determined
      2027
  2029
Total Quarter-finals 2/34 8 3 1 4 6 10

Honours

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Regional

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Gambia v Lesotho, 13 October 2002". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  4. ^ "The Gambia". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  5. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Gambia". World Football Elo Rankings. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Gambia – List of International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  7. ^ "The Gambia disqualified from all Caf competitions". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  8. ^ "Gambia National Stadium". Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Johnny names 24 Scorpions for this month's TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers against Comoros and Tunisia". Facebook. Gambia Football Federation. 3 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Gambia". National Football Teams.
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