Gambia: Scorpions- If They Wish to Be

FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)

Sulayman Bah

11 July 2011

Shortly after Independence, Gambians began to jet to Europe en masses either in search for knowledge or better economic gain -although they started moving abroad well before independence but in a rather minimal number.

The massive exodus of these native Gambians to Europe, Scandinavia to be precise where they are most concentrated paid a whole lot of dividend to Gambian football of recent. It was not until during the post independence era, that Gambia football began to take a definite shape locally, but before that, colonial Gambia had somehow set the floor with its first win at international level against Senegal 3-2 on home soil on 5th December 1962.

Gambia had been doing a little good but quite inconsistent with participations in the World Cup and African Cup of Nations as they failed to participate in the World Cup in 1930-1978, participating but did not qualify in 1982-1986 and then failing to enter again for the qualifiers in 1990, withdrawing in 1994 and again falling short of a qualification berth from 1998 -2010.

In the 2000s, the road began to clear for the new breeds of Gambians born in Europe to Gambian parents quite a number of whom have already attained citizenship status in far away Europe.

Foroyaa Sports makes a breakdown of a list of players who would have been a success story and adorning Gambia jersey at international level but because of a late discovery or a refusal by players of Gambian descent to play for Gambia turned their fortune.

Born of a Gambian father, who was a one-time goalkeeper, and a Norwegian mother Alieu , John Carew was one emerging talent unearthing his way to the platform of success, an uncommon talent who could have been the right blog in the nut for Gambia but he chooses to to play for Norway at both national and international level.

Smashing in a total of fourteen goals in thirty-three appearances for Valerenga in 1999 Alieu John Carew has shown more than enough to attract interest from Rosenborg and that was that for the Norwegian born of Gambian decent, as he was already an established name in Norway with a voracious taste for goal, bagging nineteen goals for Rosenborg in only seventeen games and an extra five in the Champions League. It was an extraordinary rise and was capped with a £7m move to Spain, playing in the European Cup final and scoring in the penalty shoot-out that was eventually lost to Bayern Munich.

Joining the group not wishing to play for Gambia is Mathis Jattah Njie Jorgensen. His father believed to hail from the country side was a settler in the City before he traveled to Denmark the southernmost of the Nordic countries, Southwest of Sweden and South of Norway.

Mathis nicknamed ‘Zanka’ is another sparkling youngster born to a Gambian father and a Dane mother- a central defender for FC Copenhagen.

He became a miss for Gambia by virtue of a late discovery by the un-courting eyes of the GFA. It was all but too late for Gambia to twist the change on its head as the 21-year-old had already made an appearance for Denmark. ‘Zanka’ moved to the Danish champions Copenhagen founded in 1992 from neighbouring club B93 at age just sixteen. Following an impressive outing, Mathis was invited by Arsene Wenger club coach for English side Arsenal on a one week trial.

Individually, Zanka is a success story winning the Danish title in 2008 and 2009. He was honoured with a talent of the year award, the Arlan talent of the year and the Arlan Danish U-19 national team sensation of the year. He made his debut for the Danish national team in a friendly against Wales on November 19th 2008.

Pa Modou Jobe is the newest tap of the season in our quest to unravel Gambian players plying their trade in around the globe. Jobe is Gambian born whose parents are based in Belgium.

Former Hawks starlet Omar Alieu Koroma was closer to breaking the jinx a Gambia player had ever come close to reaching when he signed with then premier league Portsmouth under Tottenham Coach Harry Redknapp stewardship. But the Youngster’s promising career was plagued by injury and short-lived after only two years.

But our new player finding Pa Modou Jobe inimitable brilliance has added to the number of Gambian EPL players, from none, to at least one.

Pa Modou joined the Seasiders of Blackpool in 2009 at a time the club was at championship level before grabbing a promotion spot later.

The midfield player plays for the Bloomfield Road U-21 youth side Blackpool. Pa Modou trained with Blackpool for few weeks and did enough to impress Coach Gary Parkinson.

Young players drafted into the books of the premier league outfit, according to regulations, is either contracted or handed scholarship paperwork to tie the player(s) to the club roster.

The youngster could be a good addition to the Gambia national team before it gets late and is eligible for Gambia.

Joshua King is yet another teenage sensation of Gambian decent. He plays for Manchester United, but is understood to be mulling a move to Germany before the next season. Joshua Christian Kojo said ‘No’ to Gambia U-17 and U-20 in 2009 and 2010.

The 19-year-old turned down an offer to play for Gambia in a one-page written text but promised to give it a nod in the ‘near future’. To the Consternation of Gambian fans, the Youngster recently joined the Norway U-21. He is however still eligible for the Scorpions according to FIFA rules before he turns 21 in two years.

As I write this piece, the Gambia Football Association are sorting out Macoumba Kandji’s citizenship documents.

Kandji is one such hot property and his addition will heighten the burning flames of Gambia’s attacking force. But not too soon until he recovers probably by September according to Terema Dahaba. Kandji was born in Senegal but grew up in Gambia and then left for the United States of America.

The 25-year-old turned down an offer to play Senegal as he opts for a berth with the senior Scorpions, his adopted country. He could make a good matchup up front with the old guard Njogu Demba provided Demba could fit in PP’s plans giving his sloppy form of recent.

Uncapped Joe Sise is striker of 6ft 3inch born 1988 in Halmstad Sweden. He is an emerging youngster with a Swedish U-21 record.

He was reduced to a bench-warmer after a deal was brokered between his club and Real Madrid reserve side to bring Spanish players on a short term loan deal. But he seems to getting back to his touch after he opened the score in the 17th minute but his club let the lead slip off their hands as AIK rallied back to stun the host.

Pa Modou Kah turned down Gambia for Norway. The 30-year-old defender was invited on a trial with Manchester United in December 2000 and is nine times capped with Norway.

Kah Amadou Jawo: Plays for Elfsborg and is eligible for a call-up and 26-year-old, a brother to Scorpion defender Omar Jawo

Mustapha Carayol: Mustapha Carayol is a Gambian player currently in the English third division. A grandson to IEC chairman Mustapha Carayol, junior Carayol has not accepted a call-up with Gambia

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