In an interview with Reuters, coach Tom Saintfiet expressed confidence in Gambia’s ability to compete at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, despite their small population of 2.64 million. He believes that their opponents in the upcoming tournament will not be looking forward to facing his team, despite the tough competition that lies ahead.
Gambia is set to face tough opponents in Group C, including Cameroon, Guinea, and Senegal. Despite this, Saintfiet remains optimistic about his team’s chances at the tournament, pointing to their previous success in the competition.
During their debut appearance at the finals two years ago, Gambia managed to progress to the quarter-finals, defeating larger and more established teams along the way.
The coach highlighted the rapid progress that Gambia has made since his arrival, despite the challenges they faced. When he first took on the role, the team was ranked 172 in the world and had not won a competitive match for five years.
However, under his leadership, Gambia has qualified for the 2021 tournament and has continued to defy expectations at international competitions.
Gambia’s success in previous tournaments was fueled by a determination to stay in the competition as long as possible, rather than simply being content with participating. Saintfiet praised his team’s resilience and determination, emphasizing their desire to go as far as possible in the tournament.
Leading up to the Africa Cup of Nations, Saintfiet reflected on his coaching career, which has taken him to various countries, including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Yemen, Malawi, Togo, Bangladesh, Trinidad & Tobago, and Malta. Each experience, he said, has contributed to his growth as a coach and provided unique insights.
Despite being considered underdogs, Saintfiet and his team embrace this role and are determined to defy the odds once again. Their upcoming match against Senegal in Yamoussoukro is set to be a tough test, but the coach remains positive about Gambia’s chances.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
