Tijan Jaiteh’s agent has confirmed Sunderland decided against signing the teenage midfielder who is now the target of fellow Premier League side Blackburn Rovers.

Observer Sports has gathered that Sunderland were keen on the Gambian international midfielder, who has impressed hugely for Norwegian side Brann since joining them two seasons back.

However, Sunderland are understood to have withdrawn their interest as he would need to gain a work-permit."Sunderland were very interested in Tijan," Per-Ove Ludvigsen told BT.

"But they did not believe he would get the necessary documentation.
"Tijan was disappointed as he knew the deal was close, but that is something that did not happen." Jaiteh is a Gambian international, but they are currently ranked 90th in the Fifa rankings - and under British work-permit regulations a player can only get into the country if his country is in the top 70.

Blackburn trial

Blackburn Rovers are seemingly undeterred as they hope to take Jaiteh on trial, although his club Brann want clarification from the Premier League side before letting the teenager travel.

"We want Blackburn to clarify what they want with a trial," Brann sports director Roald Bruun-Hansen told Aftenposten. "Is it just to see the qualities of Tijan or do they have concrete plans to buy him? Brann have recently handed Jaiteh a five-year contract so the club insist they are in no hurry to sell him.

"If Tijan is a player they want, then we want to know how much they are willing to pay for him. "There is no need to send him on trial if their bid is not in harmony with what we think he is worth. "If we know this beforehand, a lot of time could be saved."
Jaiteh's agent Ludvigsen is hopeful an agreement will be reached: "I understand that Brann wishes something more concrete."

A week-long training course for over a dozen of Gambian football referees got underway yesterday, at the Friendship Hotel housed at the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

Dubbed the “High Level FIFA Refereeing Course”, the training is jointly organised by the Gambia Football Association in collaboration with the world football’s governing body (FIFA).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the president of the Gambia Football Association, Seedy Kinteh, said the program, which is the first in the past three years, is aimed at  improving the impartiality and efficiency of the Gambian referees to meet the growing challenges of the game. 

Kinteh said the Gambia Football Association, under his  leadership, continues to enjoy massive development and training program from FIFA, noting that similar courses are in the pipeline for football coaches, administrators, women football and sports medicine in 2009.

The GFA supremo revealed that the referees committee, under the guidance of Alhagi Omar Sey and Alhagi Badou Jasseh, had constantly renewed itself and expanded its mission in training, selection, designation and supervision of referees. 

“The leadership of Sey and Jasseh and many others before them made a valuable contribution to the society by nurturing the likes of Malick Sillah and Modou Sowe and host of others who represented the Gambia in the major international competitions with outstanding results,” he said.

Still citing referees Sillah and Sowe as examples, the GFA president said the Gambian referees continue to break new ground in the FIFA and CAF sanctioned matches due largely to the country’s vibrant grass root development.

He also hailed the high profile and significant progress registered in the past three years with the graduation of 4 retired referees as CAF referee’s instructors capable of conducting local training courses in refereeing.

In conclusion, Seedy Kinteh cautioned the participants to make good use of the training in a bid to advance the noble trade further.

“We must all appreciate the fact that the job of the referee is a difficult and complicated one and I urge you to use this forum as a market place of ideas with flawless  determination in advancing this noble profession further,” he said.
The training course, which is being directed by Mr Joseph Wellington, a Ghanaian born FIFA instructor, gathers 26 referees from the Gambia’s premier league.

The Gambia Football Association in collaboration with the world football’s governing body (FIFA), are set to organise a training course for over dozen of top Gambian male referees, a press release issued by the national football’s governing body has revealed.

Dubbed the “High Level FIFA Refereeing Course”, the training, which will be held at the Friendship Hotel housed at the Independence Stadium, Bakau, is scheduled between November 17 and 22.

To be directed by Mr Joseph Wellington, a Ghanaian born FIFA instructor, the week-long course will gather 26 referees from the Gambia’s premier league.The release attributed the training to the great importance FIFA attaches to training of army of volunteers in its member associations.

The secretary of state for Youth and Sports and the president of the Gambia Football Association, Mr Sheriff Gomez and Seedy Kinteh respectively, are expected to grace the opening ceremony on Monday, November 17

The Gambia’s position in the latest edition of the FIFA World ranking released last night  remains unchanged.

The Scorpions sit at the 90th position in the global standings but have moved up one place to 22nd in the African rankings. The Gambia, who were last month ranked 90th in the world and  23rd in Africa, made their biggest move in April 2008 with all-time highs of 83 and 16 in the world and Africa respectively.

Cameroon remain Africa's top-rated national side but have slipped down the global table.  The Indomitable Lions have dropped four places to 14 overall, four behind England, who are back in the top ten.

Egypt and Nigeria are Africa's next best-ranked teams, at 21 and 22 respectively.  Egypt go up one place whilst Nigeria climb five because of their perfect record in the latest stage of qualifying for the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations in 2010.

Ghana are in fourth place on the continental list, but drop back a single place in the world table to 26. Africa's biggest climbers are Uganda and Namibia, who both leap 12 positions up the table. The Cranes are 83 in the world and the Brave Warriors are at 114. The biggest losers are Mauritania, who drop 15 places.

l don’t begrudge Eriteria`s withdrawal and Ethiopia`s exclusion which brought

about this unforgettable regulation in the deciding games of the second round

of the 2010 Africa zone combined qualifiers to the detriment of the then

concerned groups of 4, all in the name of so-called fairness for the other 2

groups of 3 countries.

Despite their trademark governing in the growth of football globalisation

which we all cherish as a socio-economical commodity, FIFA and CAF of all

people, will continue to create precedence hence the African Football

Associations at large, sweeps this issue under the carpet without ringing the

alarm bells to protect our own footballing land scape.
Ideally to change something and change it for the betterment of all are two

different things.

Therefore the tactical change of criteria came at a moment when all concerned

teams were going to play their greatest game with a view to romp through the

next stage of qualification. Big games of this magnitude should have been

given a proper decision to the advantage of all hence its significance.

The kickoff timing and date of the last games in each group was an error of

decision and a breed of possible discrepancies. Same date and kickoff timing

would have given that unpopular cannon decision of erasing vital points from

the then 10 groups of 4 at least a  balanced weight of credibility without

complain. But they allowed the "WAIT AND SEE SCENARIO" to take command, to

the delightment of the countries in the front runners spot who played on

Sunday October 12.

Otherwise we would have witnessed transparent match stories and a standard

promotional table to the 3rd round on a proud D-Day of African football.

After all, what other incentives or optional benefits were put in place for

the then emerging  runners up sets and group bottom challengers to complement

their huge price of failure between now and 2012 / 2014?

There is no doubt victims of this mad circumstance will experience lost of

talents in the process, missing a wider range of international football

advert, not to mention reluctance from the private sector for sponsorship

packages and talent promotion at mega competitions, where a massive worldwide

audience will be out there live, plus the might of an international media

coverage.

Deducting points gained against the bottom teams in the groups of 4 during

the qualifiers was a painful experience to swallow. It was rather not a fair

hearing but a recipe of "African  Football Deterioration".

National Football Associations in Africa must rethink and rise to the uneasy

crusade towards our game and defend its fate and legacy. Lucky countries who

have just romped through the last stage qualifiers as doubled medal

hunters,will sooner or later fall in the same trap.

If fairness was an order of governance to change gear in strategy during the

qualifiers, why is Africa, unlike other continents, are still being

represented at  World Cup  jambories by Five and Sixteen at our own Nations

Cup platforms?

It is therefore the responsibility of National and Sub-Regional Football

Federations in the continent and even clubs who constitutes their FA`s to

pursuit this course in the name of players, fans of the game and African

football for advancement in all facets.

Sports in itself transcends good governance in organisation to put everyone

in equal footing. "Higher Echelon Sports Governing Bodies'' have to lead by

example to their own fraternity and entities outside the wilderness of

sports.

The millions of dollars pumped in may be the backbone of  football

globalisation but will be meaningless if short of  ultra-professional

guidance and honesty in policy decisions by the games` Governing Bodies in

question.

Experience teaches us that in the heat of a battle, split second decisions

makes the difference between life and death, as well as a  genuine win and a

glorious lose. This commentary is therefore in defence of the entire

Community Of African Football for social economic cohesion.

Editor,

Please, allow me some space in your widely read newspaper to join HE the President of our dear Motherland, Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, in crying foul, aloud to CAF and or FIFA authorities for their effort in denying our gallant scorpions a well-earned qualification place to the Africa cup of nations.

As HE had stated in his exclusive interview with Mr Kebba Dibba of GRTS, it will be prudent to challenge the decision of the effort to deny our scorpions from being pronounced as qualified actors in the forth-coming international competitions in the African cup of nations; who knows may be God will help us qualify for the world cup as well.

Let CAF and FIFA be reminded that the FA cup in England and even the world cup in general is made more exciting by the participation of smaller teams who in competitions are potential giant killers. It is settled that any rule governing sport must be publicized to participants before the start of the tournament; otherwise such a rule is not in existence and so will be inoperative.
 
So CAF and or FIFA, I am sure you will not wait to be reminded that confidence in your impartiality as African and world football governing authorities respectively will without doubt be seriously questioned and marred if any wrong yardstick is used to eliminate giant killers from the tourneys even before they got going.

Bravo to the scorpions, the able coach, the caring President of the Republic of The Gambia, Alhaji  Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh and all fans and people and friends of The Gambia. 

The road to the African cup of nations in  South Africa 2010 should be open to us as we have already earned our place competitively and deservedly: So CAF and FIFA get it right and don’t keep us out by enforcing unpublicized, unknown and non-existing rules before the tournament; and include us as giant killers and do not exclude us: for fairness is a watch word to be spoken, breathed in every aspect of human existence and you (CAF and or FIFA) should be seen to be acting fairly and not unfairly to make opportunities and heroism to be attain in the sporting events you govern.

Momodou SM. Jallow (Aga)
Law student, UTG

Editor,

Kindly allow me space in your esteemed medium to add a rejoinder to Abou Manne's piece, entitled: WHERE IS BONU JOHNSON? The piece itself is a fine work of art and Abou has put forth a question that the Football Authorities should answer.

Following the arrival of Paul Put, I wrote on this very esteemed medium that for the sake of football in The Gambia the FA needed to sit with Bonu and iron out their differences and have him onboard. It was in that piece that I stated that Bonu is as equally qualified as any Foreign Coach and so is Sang Ndong, and I also stated that it was a waste of resources after putting all these resources into his certification to just let him go.

Barely a few months after that publication, both our Youth teams have been shown the exit door out of all major competitions; could they have still been in the competition had Bonu stayed on as coach? Well, the answer is simple; history does not lie and indeed his records as coach of our youth teams speak volumes of itself.

How many coaches in this world can raise their hand up and say, I beat European Champions, Portugal, at the U 20 world cup, not a lot, but guess what, Peter Bonu Johnson is one of them. It is evident that this is transition time for Gambian Football because we are out of all major competitions.

This is rebuilding time for the future and it is important that Peter Bonu Johnson, the most internationally recognized coach and the only African coach featured in the FIFA web site during the U -20 Canada competition be recalled back and handed over what he rightfully worked hard for. This man is an icon, he had results, somebody has to swallow that pride and say let’s fix this for the betterment of Gambian football.

It would be said,  Coach - player chemistry is extremely vital in a successful team as rightly said by Mr Mane, and one would agree that Bonu has spent quite sometime with these kids and therefore has bonded with them. At this point in time therefore, it is imperative that Bonu is brought back. Did he make demands, you bet your life he did and yes he should because he has the results to be compensated like his peers in the sub-region. He is deserving the benefits any foreign coach is enjoying, Why not? It’s high time that the FA and the Technical Committee come together and address the situation and bring him back.

MBOLLO MOI DOLLEH. Editor, thanks for space and keep up the good work!

Mindorr Mama

Editor,

Please, allow me space in your widely read newspaper to thank The Gambia football team and their officials for their effort on the just ended football qualifiers for group six. The Gambia took 9th position on the just ended African and World cup qualifiers, runners up in group 6. The Gambia and Uganda were best losers of the group stages; Guinea Conakry took 8th position, best loser at the expense of Gambia’s effort in ending Senegal’s dream.

Indeed, Cameroon, Guinea, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Gabon and Algeria were best in group stages. The Gambian team’s performance was very impressive from start to finish. The probability of The Gambia winning their group stages in the next African or World Cup qualifiers is very high. Thanks to Coach Paul Put whom all Gambians are asking for his contract term to be extended which hopefully will bring much improvement in Gambian football in a few years to come.

The effort of GFA and sponsors like Africell, and His Excellency, the President of the republic, just to name but a few, is highly appreciated. I would like to encourage the boys to keep up the momentum, and to maintain high standard of discipline in their career.

Gambians are proud of the senior team and praying for their success. I wish the Under17, and the Under 20 teams better luck. Let them be assured that Gambians all over the world are following their progress with keen interest. I call on Gambians to continue giving moral and financial support to GFA and all other sporting disciplines. The fans club have done a good job as they continue to boost the morale of the senior team.

However, GFA need to caution FIFA with their new law introduced against the progress of African football. FIFA needed to put such laws to all continents to match African and World cup qualifiers. The law only suits European football leagues that heavily depend on best African players. African football authorities need to come together to create more impressive tournaments that will make positive impact in Africa, but not to depend on FIFA to create football tournaments for Africa. Unless African sport authorities move first to address the situation, FIFA will continue to limit many African best players to shorter life span in their career, while in other continents football will continue to be  a source of national pride to their countries. I have no doubt The Gambia will soon leap forward as a powerful football nation if the spirit of the current national teams trickles down to the younger players in our beloved and peaceful nation.

I wish to thank the entire Gambia sports journalists for their untiring efforts; you are STARS!

Mamudou Max Jallow
UK

Editor,

Like many Gambians, I'm deeply saddened by The Scorpions' exit from the World/Africa Nation's Cups qualifiers. We've come so close, yet so far. We were so close that we even earned an asterisk on the FIFA Website with an explainer: The Gambia were equal on points with Mozambique but the latter slide through on superior goal difference. Yikes!! I took a gander at the Groups and Standings table posted on fifa.com to make sense of it all. The following was immediately apparent: Mozambique (8 pts, Goal Difference = +1). Sudan (9 pts, Goal Difference = 0. At first glance, The Gambia had a better record (9 points, GD +3). How come those teams are through and we're not?

I knew the qualification matrix was very complicated due to some groups consisting of three (3) teams and others having four (4) teams. Still, the records seemed self-explanatory to me. I needed to understand how the Scorpions aren't among the best 8 runners-up with the record they had? My dismay impelled me to look closer and seek meaning and explanation. Was I missing something? As it turned out, I was indeed missing something.

This paragraph at fifa.com explained why The Scorpions aren't among the last 20 teams: "Once all the matches in the four-team groups have been played, the results between the second- and fourth-placed sides will not be considered when comparing the second-placed teams' respective records." In simple language, our results against Liberia, who finished forth in our group, didn't count.

The four (4) points accumulated against the Lone Stars (a win at home and a draw away) amounted to exactly nothing; didn't count! By the same token, Mozambique's results against Botswana (the forth place team in their group, didn't count) in the final talley. In other words, only the results involving the top three (3) teams in each group mattered. The extra game against the team that eventually finished last in the group only amounted to an exhibition game. It turns out a little bit of luck was needed to get over the hump. Hard luck Gambia!

Nonetheless, we have every reason to be proud of the Scorpions for their sheer grit and character, not only dominating the Lions in Dakar but digging deep to come back from a goal down to Senegal. For the second successive qualifying campaign, we missed out by a whisker. Let's hope it is third time lucky when 2012 comes around.

Sherif Drammeh