The head coach of The Gambia National team, Tom Saintfiet said he is satisfied with the Ivory Coast 2023 AFCON Qualifiers draw.
The Gambia is drawn in Group G of the Ivory Coast 2023 Qualifiers alongside its West African counterparts Mali while Congo and South Sudan complete the Group.
Reacting to the draw, the Scorpion’s coach said he is pleased with the draw, adding that there is no clear favourite in The Gambia’s group.
“I’m satisfied with the draw, it is not an easy group but also not the most difficult group. It is a very competitive group where each country can beat each other and there is not an outstanding favourite but we need to be very focused. There will be no easy games and it will be at the end very narrow win points so it is important we don’t drop unnecessary points.” Tom Saintfiet said.
The former Malta national team coach Tom Saintfiet stated that his charges can’t afford to underrate any team despite confessing that The Gambia had a fair chance of making it to Africa’s biggest showpiece for the second time.
“We can’t underestimate any opponent…. But in these qualifications, we have to be focused but we fair chance just like other teams. We have to be focused and we can not underestimate any team.” The Belgian-born coach said.
Responding to the Africa Cup of Nations draw, Ousman Cho Drammeh, the team manager of The Gambia national team said The Gambia had a decent draw. “In my opinion, it’s a fair draw where we can beat anyone but we could also lose to anyone in the Group. It will all again depend on our state of preparedness going into the games.” Cho Drammeh remarked.
The CEO of BK Milan Football Club who doubles as the Scorpions team manager told our reporter that the Gambia has the prowess to make it out of the group but, warned that The Gambia must respect its opponents.
“If the last campaign is anything to go by, yes we have what it takes to qualify as a country. The confidence and experience of the team have improved in recent times but there is no room for complacency. In order to flourish again, we must accept to be the underdogs and give each team the maximum respect it deserves.” Cho Drammeh told our reporter.
