The Gambia national football team is the representative of The Gambia in men's international football. It is managed by the Gambia Football Federation. The team was in existence until 1965. and the country was known under the name of British Gambia. The team has not qualified to compete in this World Cup. The 2021 edition of Gambia has qualified to finals of the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in its history. Gambia is a member of both FIFA as well as the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Under the under the name British Gambia, the team began their first ever match on February 9 in Sierra Leone, winning 2-1 at home in an informal match. On April 23, 1963, they participated in into the L'Amitie competition in Senegal the main competition for nations that speak French. They were grouped into a group along with France's amateur team and Gabon, the Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) and Gabon. Their first match ended 5-1 against Gabon, the French amateurs on the 11th of April. The Gambia was able to draw 2-2 against their counterparts from the upper Volta on the 13th of April and then had the same result on the following day, against Gabon. The Gambia did not progress in the following round.
Following playing in Senegal after which Gambia did not play again until Gambia was not able to play again until November 16, 1968, after which they traveled into Sierra Leone to play its team in a friendly game and were defeated by a score of 2-1. They were again playing with Sierra Leone in The Gambia's next game on April 24, 1971. The hosts prevailed 3-1. On May 2, 1971 The Gambia travelled to Guinea to play a friendly game, but was defeated 4-2. On May 14, 1972 The Gambia returned to Guinea for their first African Games qualifier and lost 8-0, and then were eliminated.
In 1975 the Gambia began its first qualifying game for 1976's Summer Olympics at Canada. They were selected in a qualifying match against Guinea but losing the first game 1-0 at home on April 27, 1975. The second game was defeated to a 6-0 score in Guinea on June 1, in the same match as Guinea progressed 7-0 in aggregate.
In August of the same year in the same year, the Gambia began their first qualifying to an African Cup of Nations, in hopes of making the finals in Ethiopia. They were selected in a qualifier with two legs in the match against Morocco losing the opening leg away 3-0 on the 10th of August. They also lost the same margin at home on the 24th of August. Morocco progressed 6-0 overall.
Following the qualification process for the finals in 1976, The Gambia played their first game against a fully European team, and lost in a friendly match at home by with a score of 4-1 against Denmark on January 30, 1977.
On October 12, 2002, their team won their most successful win ever in international competitions with an 6-0 win over Lesotho.
The Gambia was banned from competitions in May 2014. Gambia was barred out of all CAF tournaments, for 2 years, after knowingly manipulating the ages of its players.
The nation's fortunes improved after qualifying to play in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Even though they did not get into the tournament, they did make the tournament to the last round of games, playing twice against African huges Algeria.
On the 13th of November, their first group D fixture of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Gambia defeated Angola 1-3 in Luanda. It was the Scorpions their first win away during the AFCON as well as a FIFA World Cup qualifier ever and was their 40th time of trying. An impressive performance saw them get into their first major event that year. Being the team with the lowest ranking at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Gambia Gambia beat the odds by beating the favorite Tunisia at the stage of group play and finishing unbeaten and in 2nd position at the top of the table. Another victory over Guinea at the end of the 16th round helped them advance to the quarter-finals in their first try, before being eliminated by tournament hosts Cameroon.
Independence Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Bakau, Gambia. It is used primarily for football games, however it also hosts performances, political occasions as well as trade fairs and national celebrations. The stadium can accommodate 30,000 spectators.
Below is a list of matches played in the past 12 months in addition to any future games that have been scheduled.
Friendly | 9 October | Gambia | 1-2 | Sierra Leone | El Jadida, Morocco |
Friendly | 12 October | Gambia | 2-1 | South Sudan | El Jadida, Morocco |
Friendly | 16 November | New Zealand | 2-0 | Gambia | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
Friendly | 1 January | Algeria | Cancelled | Gambia | Qatar |
2021 AFCON | 12 January | Mauritania | 0-1 | Gambia | Limbe, Cameroon |
2021 AFCON | 16 January | Gambia | 1-1 | Mali | Limbe, Cameroon |
2021 AFCON | 20 January | Gambia | 1-0 | Tunisia | Limbe, Cameroon |
AFCON Round of 16 | 24 January | Guinea | 0-1 | Gambia | Bafoussam, Cameroon |
AFCON Quarter Finals | 29 January | Gambia | 0-2 | Cameroon | Douala, Cameroon |
2023 AFCON preliminary round | 23 March | Chad | 0-1 | Gambia | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
2023 AFCON preliminary round | 29 March | Gambia | 2-2 | Chad | Agadir, Morocco |
Friendly | 29 May | United Emirates | 1-1 | Gambia | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
2023 AFCON qualification | 4 June | Gambia | 1-0 | South Sudan | Thiès, Senegal |
2023 AFCON qualification | 8 June | Congo | 1-0 | Gambia | Brazzaville, Congo |
2023 AFCON qualification | September | Mali | v | Gambia | |
2023 AFCON qualification | September | Gambia | v | Mali |
2023 AFCON qualification | March | South Sudan | v | Gambia | |
2023 AFCON qualification | March | Gambia | v | Congo |
In July of 2018 In July 2018, the former Togo as well as Zimbabwe head coach Tom Saintfiet, was appointed as the head coach. Saintfiet was appointed by the former world champion Sang Ndong who is now technical director of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) after the expiration of his contract in the month of January.
Head Coach | Tom Saintfiet |
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Team Manager | Ousman Drammeh |
Assistant Coach | Alagie Sarr |
Physical Coach | Daniele Caleca |
Goalkeeper Coach | Alhagie Marong |
Goalkeeper Coach | Jo Stock |
Team Doctor | Pa Landing |
Physiotherapist | Tom Mertens |
Physiotherapist | Joppe Vermeulen |
Equipment Manager | Mustapha Kassama |
Technical Assistant | Robby Echelmeyer |
Video Analyst | Jani Sarajärvi |
International Scout | Alessandro Soli |
Detail of the players as below mentioned.
The following players were selected to play in the 2023 AFCON qualifying matches in the countries of South Sudan and Congo, on June 4 and 8. 2022.
Goals and caps are correct at the time of 8 June 2022, following the game against Congo.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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GK | Modou Jobe | 27 October 1988 (age 33) | 29 | 0 | Jeddah | |
GK | Baboucarr Gaye | 24 February 1998 (age 24) | 13 | 0 | Rot-Weiß Koblenz | |
GK | Lamin Sarr | 11 March 2001 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Torns IF | |
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DF | Omar Colley | 24 October 1992 (age 29) | 41 | 0 | Sampdoria | |
DF | Bubacarr Sanneh | 14 November 1994 (age 27) | 35 | 1 | SønderjyskE | |
DF | Ibou Touray | 24 December 1994 (age 27) | 16 | 0 | Salford City | |
DF | James Gomez | 14 November 2001 (age 20) | 12 | 1 | AC Horsens | |
DF | Muhammed Sanneh | 19 February 2000 (age 22) | 6 | 0 | Pohronie | |
DF | Sainey Njie | 30 August 2001 (age 21) | 3 | 0 | DAC | |
DF | Kalifa Manneh | 2 September 1998 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Taranto | |
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MF | Sulayman Marreh | 15 January 1996 (age 26) | 32 | 1 | Gent | |
MF | Ablie Jallow | 14 November 1998 (age 23) | 24 | 6 | Seraing | |
MF | Yusupha Bobb | 22 June 1996 (age 26) | 19 | 0 | Piacenza | |
MF | Hamza Barry | 3 May 1994 (age 28) | 17 | 0 | Hajduk Split | |
MF | Ebrima Darboe | 6 June 2001 (age 21) | 13 | 0 | Roma | |
MF | Sulayman Bojang | 3 September 1997 (age 25) | 8 | 0 | Skeid | |
MF | Matarr Ceesay | 19 January 2000 (age 22) | 2 | 0 | AmaZulu | |
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FW | Assan Ceesay | 17 March 1994 (age 28) | 32 | 13 | Lecce | |
FW | Musa Barrow | 14 November 1998 (age 23) | 28 | 5 | Bologna | |
FW | Lamin Jallow | 22 July 1994 (age 28) | 19 | 1 | Fehérvár | |
MF | Modou Barrow | 13 October 1992 (age 29) | 18 | 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | |
FW | Bubacarr Jobe | 21 November 1994 (age 27) | 17 | 3 | Norrby IF | |
FW | Muhammed Badamosi | 27 December 1998 (age 23) | 15 | 1 | ÄukariÄki | |
FW | Abdoulie Sanyang | 8 May 1999 (age 23) | 8 | 0 | Grenoble | |
FW | Dembo Darboe | 17 August 1998 (age 24) | 5 | 0 | Shakhtyor Soligorsk |
A number of players from the following have been invited to join the Gambia squad over the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Sheikh Sibi | 21 February 1998 (age 24) | 3 | 0 | Virtus Verona | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
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DF | Pa Modou Jagne (captain) | 26 December 1989 (age 32) | 43 | 2 | Dietikon | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
DF | Noah Sonko Sundberg | 6 June 1996 (age 26) | 11 | 0 | Levski Sofia | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
DF | Mohammed Mbye | 18 June 1989 (age 33) | 15 | 0 | Ifö Bromölla IF | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
DF | Saidy Janko | 22 October 1995 (age 26) | 6 | 0 | Real Valladolid | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
DF | Leon Guwara | 28 June 1996 (age 26) | 5 | 0 | Jahn Regensburg | v. New Zealand, 16 November 2021 |
DF | Maudo Jarjué | 30 September 1997 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | IF Elfsborg | v. New Zealand, 16 November 2021 |
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MF | Dawda Ngum | 2 September 1990 (age 32) | 19 | 0 | Unattached | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
MF | Ebrima Sohna | 14 December 1988 (age 33) | 38 | 3 | Fortune | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
MF | Ebou Adams | 15 January 1996 (age 26) | 11 | 0 | Forest Green Rovers | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
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FW | Ebrima Colley | 1 February 2000 (age 22) | 16 | 0 | Spezia | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
FW | Bubacarr Trawally | 10 November 1994 (age 27) | 16 | 1 | Hammarby IF | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
FW | Yusupha Njie | 3 January 1994 (age 28) | 6 | 0 | Boavista | v. Chad; 29 March, 2022 |
At the time of 8 June 2022.
Players who are bold are actively involved in Gambia.
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pa Modou Jagne | 43 | 2 | 2006–present |
2 | Omar Colley | 41 | 0 | 2012–present |
3 | Ebrima Sohna | 38 | 3 | 2007–present |
4 | Bubacarr Sanneh | 35 | 1 | 2012–present |
5 | Abdou Jammeh | 33 | 2 | 2006–2015 |
6 | Assan Ceesay | 32 | 13 | 2013–present |
Sulayman Marreh | 32 | 1 | 2011–present | |
8 | Modou Jobe | 29 | 0 | 2007–present |
9 | Musa Barrow | 28 | 5 | 2018–present |
10 | Mustapha Jarju | 26 | 5 | 2006–2013 |
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | Assan Ceesay | 13 | 32 | 0.41 | 2013–present |
2 | Momoudou Ceesay | 6 | 16 | 0.38 | 2010–2015 |
Ablie Jallow | 6 | 24 | 0.25 | 2015–present | |
4 | Omar Samba | 5 | 11 | 0.45 | 1995–2002 |
Jatto Ceesay | 5 | 17 | 0.29 | 1994–2007 | |
Mustapha Jarju | 5 | 26 | 0.19 | 2006–2013 | |
Musa Barrow | 5 | 28 | 0.18 | 2018–present | |
8 | 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–present |
As per detail below.
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | Ga | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | |||||||||||||
1934 | |||||||||||||||
1938 | |||||||||||||||
1950 | |||||||||||||||
1954 | |||||||||||||||
1958 | |||||||||||||||
1962 | |||||||||||||||
1966 | |||||||||||||||
1970 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
1974 | |||||||||||||||
1978 | |||||||||||||||
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 | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Totak | - | 0/22 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 26 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 22 | 38 |
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 | TBD | |||||||
2025 | ||||||||
Total | - | 1/33 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Amilcar Cabral Cup :