Match Day 3 and 4 of the qualifiers originally scheduled for March 2020 were postponed due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, which halted many sporting activities across the globe.
The Scorpions of the Gambia were scheduled to play Gabon in a double header in March before the pandemic triggered the postponement of the qualifying campaign, but the Belgian couldn’t hide his excitement with the resumption date confirmed.
“I’m happy (for the resumption of the AFCON) like a child who got his birthday present,” Saintfiet told Sjag.gm.
“It was a long period - it was in November of last year that we had our (last) games. We were really preparing everything for March and Covid19 came.
“It was a period with lots of insecurity, then getting the news now that there will be qualifiers in November, and some time for friendly matches in October is fantastic news, we are looking forward to that.
The Gambia were hoping to build on their fine start to the Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 qualifying campaign only for the pandemic to halt their run, but Saintfiet is setting his sights on the future.
“We have started talking about organising friendly matches in October,” said the former Namibia boss. “What are the opportunities, what are the consequences?
“How we organise it because we have to take care of the Covid19 security of players and staff.
“How to travel and so on but at least we have started with that job and naturally looking forward to November’s matches against Gabon which could be very special for all Gambians so I am a very happy man.”
TACKLING GABON AND AUBAMEYANG
The Scorpions top their Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 Group D with four points leveled with November’s opponents Gabon, two more than DR Congo whilst Angola are rooted at the bottom with zero point.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been in great form for English side Arsenal where he became the first African to captain a team in the FA Cup scoring twice to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the final.
The former AC Milan and Dortmund striker will be hoping to add to his 25 goals for the Panthers when they face the Scorpions but Saintfiet is keeping his cards close to his chest.
“It’s still very early to talk about the plan to play against Gabon and Aubameyang we have over two months before the games a lot of things can change and we don’t want to talk too much in the media about our ideas and thoughts,” the Belgian emphasized.
“Clearly Gabon are the favorites they have the same amount of points as us they’re 83 in the FIFA rankings and we’re still 159. We’re still the underdog but our ambition is to stay on a qualification position in first or second by the end of the competition.
“We need some good results we will see which players are available at that moment of time and make a plan to win some points away from home and try to win the game at home that is always the intention.”
Captain Pa Modou Jagne is one of the more experienced players in Saintfiet’s team and he feels the Scorpions should concentrate on themselves not the opponent.
“For me the most important thing is what we can do on the pitch not what the opponent (Gabon) does,” the 30 year-old told Sjag.gm.
“I’ve no doubts that we will fulfill this mission. Gabon is Gabon and we are Gambia so we’re not afraid of no one I am confident we can make it to the AFCON this time around.
“This is the best generation. The talent we have is extraordinary so we have to make good use of it, that’s why I said it’s our time. All our players are competing with the best players in the world so it’s our time to show this on pitch.
SIGNIFICANCE OF AFCON TO THE GAMBIA
The Gambia is yet to qualify for Africa's flagship tournament the Africa Cup of Nations. In fact, they remain the only country in the West Africa yet to make it to the biennial championship.
“It’s a dream for every Gambian to qualify a big tournament it never happened in the past. Last year we were close to it (AFCON 2019) we went up to the last match day still with a chance of qualifying and now after two games we’re on top of the log that’s only a good motivation and it would be fantastic to qualify for the first in history,” Saintfiet emphasized.
They were eliminated from the Qatar 2022 World Cup after losing to Angola in the preliminary rounds.
“Very sad that we are not in the World Cup qualifying campaign but we have to focus now on what we have, we have to focus on the AFCON we started this competition clearly as underdogs.
“People may not forget that DR Congo is 54 in the world Gabon is 83 and Angola is ranked 120 while we’re 159 so the pressure is more on these three countries they’re obliged to be there and they’re also used to be there.
“We want to take this chance we have the quality to do it but it is still a long way go we have to play four from six games and we will do everything in our power to qualify for the first time it would be a dream come true.”
ATMOSPHERE WITHIN THE TEAM
With a young squad the Scorpions recent results have been impressive and the Belgian attributes it to the harmonious relationship within the team.
“The atmosphere in the team is very good the players are very motivated they’ve waiting for a very long period of time now to finally play these qualifying matches against Gabon after the good results against Angola and DR Congo.
“Everyone is eager to play again for the country we’re on top of log and that’s only a motivation to maintain that position – the players are very hungry to play for the Gambia and they’re all looking forward to it.”
DRIVE BEHIND THE RESURGENCE
After many near misses in qualifying over the years Scorpions looked to have renewed their drive to be amongst the big boys of African football.
They registered their first ever away victory in either the AFCON or World Cup qualifying when they came from behind to beat Angola 3-1 in Luanda.
“The biggest motivation of the team is the honor to write history for the country. The Gambia is a fantastic football country with a lot of people who love and have passion for the game we noticed that in several home games,” Saintfiet added.
“I remember the 40 thousand people in the game against Algeria but also the 30 thousand people against DR Congo in our last match – people love football, people deserved to be there in the big tournaments with the Gambia and that’s our motivation.
“We do it for the people we do it for the honor and for the Gambian people, they deserved to be proud of the team. We have a young group of players with some experience players who are all very eager and motivated to qualify.
“We also have to be realistic we have to work hard we’ve to focus on every game like we did over the past two years be professional be aware of our capacity and also be aware of the capacity of the opponent.”
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