I’m happy like a child who got a birthday present – Gambia coach on Afcon qualifier resumption

Bring on Afcon qualifiers – Gambia coach

JOHANNESBURG, November 9 (ANA) – Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet over the weekend said he couldn’t be happier with the resumption of Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying.

Gambia were scheduled to play Gabon in a double header in March before the novel coronavirus pandemic forced the postponement of the qualifying campaign, but the Belgian could not hide his excitement with the resumption dates confirmed.

The first qualifying match between the countries will take place on Thursday in Franceville, Gabon. The return fixture will be played in Bakau, Gambia, on November 16.

“I’m happy like a child who got his birthday present,” Saintfiet told CafOnline. “It was a long period; it was in November of last year that we had our last games. We were really preparing everything for March and Covid-19 came.

“It was a period of lots of insecurity, then getting the news that there will be qualifiers in November was fantastic news we are looking forward to that.”

Gambia were hoping to build on their fine start to their 2021 Afcon qualifying campaign, only for the pandemic to halt their run, but Saintfiet is setting his sights on the future.

“We prepared while having to take care of the Covid-19 security of players and staff. How to travel and so on but at least we have started with that job and naturally looking forward to November’s matches against Gabon, which could be very special for all Gambians, so I am a very happy man.”

Gambia top their qualifying Group D with four points level with November’s opponents Gabon, two more than DR Congo whilst Angola are rooted at the bottom with zero points.

Covid-19 one major concern for Saintfiet ahead of November’s return to competitive action.

“It’s not easy because we will have players coming from three different continents. The majority play in Europe we have players in Asia and few players in the African continent, so it will be very complex to get everyone together.

“Let’s hope that the peaks are over, and everything goes downwards the health situation returns to almost normal, otherwise it would be very negative if teams cannot use their major players to play the games.”

When Gambia take on Gabon, Saintfiet will be without midfield maestro Hamza Barry due to a knee injury.

The 25-year old playmaker – who is currently a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Croatia’s Hajduk Split – underwent a cruciate ligament surgery in July and will be out for at least six months.

“The biggest problem for now is Hamza Barry. His cruciate ligament injury will take at least six months to recover. He had his surgery in July so maybe in February or March he will be returning. t is very sad because against Angola and DR Congo he proved how important he’s in the midfield role.

“On the other side in the previous year we had several other players who could perform on that position and it’s an opportunity for others, but I am naturally sad that Hamza is not there so we have to find solutions.”- African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman