The hopes of Ghana’s Black Satellites of a place at the 16th African Youth Championship, Rwanda 2009 comes under severe test this weekend as they trek Banjul as guests of the Gambian counterparts in the final round.

The Satellites have a 2-1 lead from the first leg and must avoid defeat to qualify for the biennial championships for the first time since 2003.

But the performance of the Young Scorpions during the first leg in Accra a fortnight has given Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh some sleepless nights as he yearns to succeed in a position his predecessors failed.

Touted as a prospective Black Stars coach in the not too distant future, Tetteh’s claim for the most talked about job in Ghana football could be made easier with a successful stint with the youth side.

It is in this regard that the former Hearts of Oak player has beefed up his squad with the inclusion of three players namely, Andre Ayew of French side FC Lorient, Jonathan Mensah of South African PSL side, Free State Stars and Abeiku Quansah of French side, OG Nice.

“We have worked on our shortfalls from first leg and will deliver,” Tetteh said confidently.

But the sentiments of the affable coach have been counteracted by his Gambian counterpart, Lamine Sarr, who has assured his side will end the reign of the Satellites.

“We won’t be complacent during the second leg, but I can say it is over for Ghana,” assured Sarr, who doubles as deputy of the senior national Gambian team.

Elsewhere, in Brazzaville, holders Congo is highly tipped to brush aside the Indomitable Cubs of Cameroon after managing a barren draw in Yaoundé during the first leg.

At Bamako, Mali face Benin with a two goal lead from the first meeting while Burkina Faso hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Ouagadougou.

The Young Pharaohs of Egypt, hosts of the World Championship face a tricky test in Lusaka as guests of the Young Chipolopolo of Zambia while South Africa is favoured to brush past Botswana.

The winners will join hosts, Rwanda for the final tournament to be held from January 18 to February 1, 2009.  

Fixtures
Mali           v  Benin           (2-0)  
Gambia         v  Ghana       (1-2) 
Sudan           v  Nigeria      (0-5)  
Zambia         v  Egypt         (3-3)  
Congo          v  Cameroon   (0-0)  
South Africa  v  Botswana   (1-1)  
Burkina Faso v  Ivory Coast  (0-1)

Gambian Coach Paul Put has expressed his view that though Senegal has some big players in their team who have played in World and African Nations cup, the Gambia has a team that can make history.

Paul Put, who was asked as to expectations about the most awaited derby match between The Gambia and Senegal slated for tomorrow Saturday said, “Senegal have a team that have already gone to the world cup and African Cup of Nation. So they have advantage. They have big players who are playing in the highest competition of Europe but still I say yes, the Gambia has a very good team that can make history tomorrow”

According to Coach Put, the Gambia is building on a team for the future. But I still think we can expect some nice things from them and I hope we can deliver a good result on Saturday in Senegal”.

For Paul Put, he has been working in for the psychology of the players since the day he arrived in the Gambia. “I think that is one of my strongest points. I worked on psychology to get the players ready and motivated. And I think the players know what they have in their possibilities and that they can write history”.

He added that “what I have been seeing against the matches with Senegal at home and Algeria in Gambia has given me a great feeling to have such a kind of support behind the fans. “So I am very sure that the people will give their support at home before the television and they would pray so that we can have a good result in Senegal”.

He finally said that he will be travelling with 20 players and they will be leaving today Friday 10th October 2008, with a charted flight.

The Gambia will take on Senegal on Saturday 11th October 2008, in DakarSenegal and the game is expected to kicks off at 5pm.

Pointsports went around to meet the players to have their views on the Gambia- Senegal game, but the most topic that came up was that the coach should be rewarded for his wonderful job.

Speaking to Pointsports, the vice captain of the team, Mathew Mendy said that things are now different from used to obtain before. “Paul is not only a coach to us, but he motivates the whole team too. We are like one family and we enjoy his training sessions and I think he is the best coach I have ever worked with at national team level”.

Vice Captain Mendy added: “We need him and we know that the FA don’t have the needed finance, but with the help of the private sector, Paul will change Gambian football as it already started changing.We are well prepared for the Gambia-Senegal game andwe want to make history as the coach always say to us. We are ready for the game and people will see a different ball game. We are going for the 3point, that’s what the coach tells us and that is what is inside us”.

In the view of Aziz Corr Nyang Paul is great. He noted that they don’t have any problems during training and what he is giving us is what we use to train in our teams in Europe. He is a man of dignity and I don’t think he is just a coach but also a technician. He is great and he is a real professional. We are very happy to work with hi,” he declared.

Aziz then maintained that the game between the Gambia and Senegal is the most important game and as the coach used tell them that they can write history. “That’s what we all believe in and are ready to do it” he said, adding that “ all we need is the prayers of all the people and the support of the general public as we are all ready to give our 100% on Saturday”.

Pa Modou Jagne also expressed his satisfaction with Coach Paul Put. He said: “We having been crying for a foreign coach and I am sure he is the one we were looking for. Within the short time he took over, we all see what he has achieved. He has good results and has unified the team as one. Paul is like a father, brother and a friend to every body. He is great we hope that stakeholders will help the GFA to maintain him. We are ready to make history in Senegal and by the help of God we will see the difference”, he said.

Tijan Jaiteh said: “We have had different coaches in our teams both at the U17, U20, and senior levels. They were all good coaches, and have worked well, but Paul is too great. We really need him; he is doing a good job and is getting results. He motivates the players and gives us courage and confidence. For me, he needs to be rewarded. This is the best time we need the support of the private sector to come out and give support to the coach and the team itself. We need the prayers of every body and by the help of God we are going to write history”, he added.

It could be recalled that during the Gambia Algeria game in Banjul in and interview with the Pointsports the captain of the team, Ebou Sillah was quoted saying: “I have never played in a national team like this before since I started playing for the national team. The players are united and well motivated- the coach is doing a wonderful job and I believethat the Gambia has a bright future with the young players we having in the team now”.

He equally maintained that the coach is a great coach and has changed Gambian football. “I think he should be giving the chance to transform Gambian football as he is doing now”, he said.

Edirisa Sonko is also on record for expressing the same sentiments in the team and commending Coach Paul Put for the wonderful job he is doing. He has also called on the people to give Paul the maximum support, as according to him, Paul has changed Gambian football totally. “As you can see the mood in the camp; you don’t know who is who. Every one looks the same and that’s what we need”, he noted.

“The Gambian national team is playing like a divisional club because it’s formed by players who had the chance to play together since been juniors in the African and World Cup Championships two years ago. And it’s almost the same team that will be performing on the 11 of October in Dakar for the return leg.

“It is no more The Gambia of twenty (20) years ago that is coming to Dakar; to be defeated and go back. They need to win because they never reach this stage of the tournament”, he declare in an interview recently with the RTS National TV.
The Senegalese team being at the third place of the group of six with 8 points (+2) behind Algeria (9 points) and the Gambia with 8 points (+3) also need to win the match in order to qualify.

He declared that his boys are well motivated for a 90-minute match to avoid disgracing the Senegalese football fans, who will not digest a defeat.

He revealed that even the former captain and midfielder Kalilou Fadiga is recalled to consolidate the ambiance of the team like in the old good time of 2002.
Mr N’diaye concluded that he is counting highly on his group since they are conscious of what they should do since the defeat in Algeria.

“Senegal and the Gambia are two brotherly countries with a bloodily relation between the people and the challenge of the game will not destroy their relationship. It’s a football match and will remain that. It should be played with discipline and when the best team wins, the Senegalese and the Gambian people will be behind the winner to push him forward like when the Senegalese victories during the wold cup 2002 were celebrated in the Gambia.
The Senegalese authorities; like the Gambians who have well played their part in terms of public security in the first leg have not the right to fail to secure the Gambians to play and go back home in peace and safety according to CAF and FIFA conventions.

The Senegalese coach recently made a call for the return of striker Momadou Niang and giant defender Souleymane Diawara for what is considered the most crucial derby encounter against their rivals the Gambia in the world and African cup preliminaries round slated for the 11thOctober 2008 in Dakar, Senegal.

It could be recalled that Khalilou Fadiga’s last appearance for the Senegalese national team was 26thMay 2005.

The Senegalese team needs to beat the Gambia to advance to the next stage while the Gambia needs only a point against Senegal according to the football analyst.

The head coach of the Gambia national U20 team Lamin Sarr has expressed that he and his team are going for a win in Ghana.

Sarr said, “We are going for a win in Ghana. I have confidence in the team and we are well prepared for the game.”

According to coach Sarr the team is intact and the players are well motivated and the mood in the camp is very high. We will be travelling with a 25 man delegation including the players”.

He said that the technical staff are well prepared for the encounter and we have confidence in the team, Lamin Sambou, alias L S, will be assisting me alongside with Franco Cresentiny, the goal keeper trainer.”

Coach Sarr made these remarks while talking to Pointsports yesterday at the Seaview Garden Hotel where the team was camped.

In his remarks the team’s captain Pa Modou Jagne also expressed confidence and satisfaction in his teammates. “I am very satisfied with the team and have confidence in my colleagues. We all know that it will not be an easy game at all when playing away games but with the prayers of all Gambians by the help of God we will win”, he said. He then called on all the Gambian population to give them support to come with victory. 

Also speaking to Pointsports the team manager, Lamin King Colley, said that despite the absence of some of the professionals they would come with victory by the help of God

“We have a team that is willing and ready to deliver. All we need is the prayers of the general public and their support,” he stated.

Meanwhile the team has left Banjul yesterday for Dakar where they will be connecting their flight to Ghana at 4am for their encounter with the Black Stars of Ghana which game is slated for the 28th of September 2008, in AccraGhana.  The return leg is slated for the fortnight after the first leg in Banjul.

Mr.Sambou revealed that the team will be prepared well for their encounter with Ghana U-17 team for the first leg in Accra in the first week of November and the second leg in a fortnight time in Banjul.

Assistant coach Sambou also expressed optimism that the Gambia National U-17 team will beat Ghana U-17 team and qualify to the 2009 Caf U-17 youth championship tournament to be hosted by Algeria.

He further revealed that his boys would certainly perform to expectation in their crucial 2009 CAF U-17 qualifiers against Ghana slated for the first week of November 2008.