Njok Malik Yaram Arts & Sports Ltd London, UK A BEN TV African Sports pundit
Uk's Top Gambian Sports pundit

In the final weekend of the second round group stages of the CAF/FIFA joint ANC & World Cup 2010 competition, The Gambia Scorpions had stung local rivals Senegal’s Teranga Lions in Dakar to finish Second in group 6.  There was a lot riding on this match, the favourites -Teranga Lions knew they must win not only to proceed to the next round but to avoid a long absence from FIFA sanctioned competitive international football – 3 years to be specific.  The underdog Scorpions, harboured their own ambition to put a halt to the long suffering of endless defeats (and a handful of draws) in the hands of their neighbours since 1962 and also to move their football to the next level by getting closer to a major football tournament qualification.

The first half was dominated by the young Scorpions and gilt edge chances fell to Captain Ebu Sillah, Azziz Corr Nyang and Njogu Demba who all failed to find the back of the net.  The Teranga Lions only posed some danger at set pieces and could have possibly taken the lead against the run of play as keeper Bajaha’s timing and positioning were very poor.   But in general, Senegal never got their game going and were lucky to end the half on equal terms.

The Teranga Lions regrouped for the second half but the Scorpions continued where they left and gained a lot of possession although they keep giving the ball away. Senegal then effected changes in midfield and within a short spell of dominance, got the goal in the 67th minute through Kader Mangane; here again keeper Bajaha could have done better.  There from, Teranga Lions started to dictate the pace of the game and use their experience to subdue the young Scorpions.  It was difficult to see where an equaliser would come from as the clock ran down until a defensive error near the 18yards let Azziz Corr Nyang in who laid a great pass for Njogu Demba, whom again only had keeper Tony Silva to beat but spurned the chance.  This however, triggered new pressure on Senegal and The Gambia threw in another striker (OJ).  With five minutes left on the clock, the Scorpions won another corner kick, which when delivered fell for midfielder Sohna whose shot ricocheted of his team mate (OJ) only to kindly fall for Azziz Corr Nyang; who brilliantly found the back of the net for a deserved equaliser.  The match finished 1 all draw and the point earned aggregated Gambia’s group total to 9 points.

In normal football regulations, the 9 points secured by the Scorpions should see them qualify for the third round stages as one of the best 8 runners-up.  However, owing to the withdrawal of Eritrea from the competition and the expulsion of Ethiopia by FIFA, the governing bodies had to apply the new legislation. CAF wanted to be fair to the three teams in groups 8 and 11, to have a fair chance of qualifying as the remaining teams in groups of fours thus the new procedure.  See details below!

Even if CAF wanted an easy option, why didn’t they elect to credit the points for the forfeited matches to those teams left in groups 8 and 11.  This view is given more credence if you looked at group 8 properly.  By the time Ethiopia was expelled, they have already played 4 matches and got only 2 remaining.  Moreover, there is a strong probability that they would have lost those matches judging by the pattern of earlier results (See Below).  So in actual fact, it is only group 11 that can rightfully claim some concession.

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Some other fairer procedures open to CAF included factoring how well the runners ups fared against the groups winners or using the reverse logic i.e how badly they did against the supposed weakest links - fourth placed teams,  in adjusting the final points total for all runners ups. This promotes competition and merits good work.

Any ardent football follower will make mockery of these rules.  Mozambique (8 Points) in Group 7, Sudan (9 Points) in group 10 and Togo (6 Points) in group 11 have no right to qualify over Gambia but for these silly rules.

To add to their bad judgement, CAF allowed some matches, notably Guinea vs Kenya, which had bearing on overall runners-up spots; to kick-off 24 hours late.  HOW CAN THAT BE FAIR??

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10-12/10/08: Togo 6-0 Swaziland

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For what it is worth, I think The Gambia FA should appeal or initiate a petition to FIFA or CAF arbitration.  The young Scorpions have done everyone proud by earning a massive point in Dakar, yes it could have been better but a result was demanded and indeed they delivered one. 

Elevated Azziz captured how most Gambians felt when asked by a journalist for his reactions. He remarked “DAFA DOYE, SAYE BE TASS NAH, HALEL MAGAH NAH” meaning the Scorpions had finally ended the jinx against Senegal and the prodigy boy had grown. 

Njok Malik Jeng
Yaram Arts & Sports Ltd
London, UK