AFCON 2021: Debutant Gambia cancels friendlies with Algeria and Syria
Gambia has cancelled planned friendlies against Algeria and Syria ahead of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cameroon.
Due to the unavailability of 16 of the squad 28 players, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has announced the cancellation of the scheduled two preparatory matches for the Scorpions.
Gambia team led by Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet have started a 10-days training camp in Doha, Qatar to prepare for their first participation in the Africa Cup of nations in their history.
In Cameroon, Gambia will start their Group F campaign against Mauritania on January 12, then face Mali on January 16 before concluding the group against 2004 champions Tunisia on January 20.
Saintfiet told GFF official website that his team has no goalkeeper with these 16 absences, so they are forced to cancel matches against Algeria and Syria.
“I was really looking forward to playing against Algeria and Syria to prepare for the AFCON,” said Saintfiet, adding that some others of his players are not yet present in Doha.
