AFCON Gambian Child Refugee In Tom Saintfiet’s Squad For The Upcoming AFCON

Tom Saintfiet released 28-man squad for the  2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The squad includes AS Roma midfielder Ebrima Darboe as Gambia’s debut appearance at the continental championship.

Ebrima Darboe made a perilous journey as a child migrant from Africa across the Mediterranean by boat to Italy. At 20, the youngster debuted in Serie A last season after arriving as a 14-year-old boat refugee in Sicily. He had travelled alone from Gambia crossing the Mediterranean by boat from Libya in a six-month journey.

He began playing with an amateur club and was signed by Roma aged 16.

Darboe is among four players from top flight Italian clubs who headline the 28-man squad which is an eclectic mix, including several players from clubs in the lower leagues in England, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.

The squad is selected based on the principles that we have to look ahead on what we need,” Saintfiet told Caf website.

Looking to the opponents that we will face and possible opponents in the later stages.

“For every position, we needed alternatives we also wanted to create a very good group, a good cohesion in the group and a good atmosphere.

“Naturally, also several players out of respect for their role in achieving the qualification.

“Together I think we have a very balanced group with a lot of young, quality but also some experienced players.”

The Gambia are zoned in Group F alongside Tunisia, Mali and Mauritania. They will play their first-ever Afcon match on 12 January 2022 against Mauritania in Limbe.

Also Read : GAMBIA COACH TOM SAINTFIET BELIEVES GAMBIA CAN BE COMPETITIVE IN 2021 AFCON GROUP F

The Gambia squad for Afcon 2022

TotalErnegies AFCON 2021: Gambia's Tom Saintfiet reveals his 28-man Squad  for Cameroon | KICK442

Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye (Rot-Weiss Koblenz, Germany), Sheikh Sibi (Virtus Verona, Italy), Modou Jobe (Black Leopards, South Africa).

Defenders: Pa Modou Jagne (FC Dietikon, Switzerland), Omar Colley (Sampdoria, Italy), James Gomez (AC Horsens, Denmark), Noah Sonko Sundberg (Ostersund, Sweden), Bubacarr Sanneh (Unattached), Ibou Touray (Salford City, England), Saidy Janko (Real Valladolid, Spain), Mohammed Mbye (Solvesborg, Sweden).

Midfielders: Ebrima Sohna (Fortune FC, The Gambia), Dawda Ngum (Bronshoj, Denmark), Sulayman Marreh (Gent, Belgium), Ebrima Darboe (Roma, Italy), Yusupha Bobb (Piacenza, Italy), Ebou Adams (Forest Green Rovers, England), Musa Barrow (Bologna, Italy), Ablie Jallow (Seraing, Belgium), Steve Trawally (Ajman, UAE), Ebrima Colley (Spezia, Italy).

Forwards: Lamin Jallow (Fehervar, Hungary), Bubacarr Jobe (Norrby, Sweden), Assan Ceesay (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Muhammed Badamosi (Kortrijk, Belgium), Modou Barrow (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, South Korea), Dembo Darboe (Shakhtyor Soligorsk, Belarus), Yusupha Njie (Boavista, Portugal).


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