Gambia national football team

Gambia
Nickname(s)	The Scorpions
Association	Gambia Football Federation (GFF)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach	Johnny McKinstry
Captain	Omar Colley
Most caps	Omar Colley (55)
Top scorer	Assan Ceesay (13)
Home stadium	Independence Stadium
FIFA code	GAM
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	125 1 (19 December 2024)
Highest	65 (June 2009)
Lowest	179 (March 2017)
First international
	British Gambia 2–1 Sierra Leone ; (Gambia; 9 February 1953)
Biggest win
	Gambia 6–0 Lesotho ; (Bakau, Gambia; 13 October 2002)
Biggest defeat
	Guinea 8–0 Gambia ; (Guinea; 14 May 1972)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	2 (first in 2021)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2021)

The Gambia national football team (recognized as The Gambia by FIFA)^[4] represents the Gambia in men's international football and is controlled by the Gambia Football Federation. Until 1965, the team and the country were known as British Gambia. The team has never qualified for the World Cup. In 2021, Gambia qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in history. The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History

Under the name British Gambia, the team played their first ever game on 9 February 1953 against Sierra Leone, winning 2–1 at home in a friendly.^[5] In April 1963, the team entered the L'Amitié tournament in Senegal, a competition mainly for French-speaking nations. They were drawn in a group with France's amateur team, the Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) and Gabon. Their first match was lost 5–1 to the French amateurs on 11 April. The Gambia drew 2–2 with the Upper Volta on 13 April, and had the same result the very next day versus Gabon. The Gambia did not advance to the next round.

After the tournament in Senegal, the Gambia did not play another match until 16 November 1968, when they travelled to Sierra Leone to play its team in a friendly and lost 2–1. They played again in Sierra Leone in The Gambia's next match on 24 April 1971, and the hosts won 3–1. On 2 May 1971, The Gambia travelled to Guinea for a friendly and lost 4–2. On 14 May 1972, The Gambia returned to Guinea for their first African Games qualifier and lost 8–0 and were knocked out.

In 1975, the Gambia entered its first qualification campaign for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Canada. They were drawn in a qualifier against Guinea, and lost the first leg 1–0 at home on 27 April 1975. The second leg was lost 6–0 in Guinea on 1 June as Guinea advanced 7–0 on aggregate.

In August of that same year, the Gambia entered their first qualification for the African Cup of Nations, with the aim of reaching the 1976 finals in Ethiopia. They were drawn in a two-legged qualifier against Morocco and lost the first leg 3–0 away on 10 August. They lost by the same score in their home leg on 24 August and Morocco advanced 6–0 on aggregate.

After the qualification campaign for the 1976 finals, The Gambia played their first match against a full European side, losing a home friendly 4–1 to Denmark on 30 January 1977.^[6]

On 13 October 2002, the team got their biggest ever victory in international competition, a 6–0 victory against Lesotho.^[2]

In May 2014, the Gambia was banned from all CAF competitions for two years after deliberately falsifying players' ages.^[7]

The nation's fortunes improved in qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Although they failed to qualify, they took it to the final round of games, including drawing twice with African giants Algeria.

On 13 November, in their first Group D match of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Gambia defeated Angola 1–3 in Luanda. This was the Scorpions' first away win in an AFCON or FIFA World Cup qualifier ever, at their 40th attempt. An impressive campaign saw them qualify for their first ever major tournament that year. As the lowest-ranked team in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, the Gambia defied the odds by defeating favourites Tunisia in the group stage, finishing unbeaten in 2nd place in the group. A further win against Guinea in the Round of 16 saw them reach the quarter-finals at their first attempt, eventually going out to tournament hosts Cameroon.

Home stadium

Independence Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bakau, Gambia. It is currently used mostly for football matches, although it is also used for music concerts, political events, trade fairs and national celebrations. The stadium holds 30,000 people.^[8]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2024

15 January 2023 AFCON GS	Senegal	3–0	Gambia	Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
14:00 UTC±0	P. Gueye 4' Camara 52', 86'	Report		Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium Attendance: 7,896 Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco)

19 January 2023 AFCON GS	Guinea	1–0	Gambia	Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
	A. Camara 69'	Report		Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium Attendance: 19,822 Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania)

23 January 2023 AFCON GS	Gambia	2–3	Cameroon	Bouaké, Ivory Coast
17:00	Jallow 72' E. Colley 85'	Report	Toko Ekambi 56' Gomez 87' (o.g.) Wooh 90+1'	Stadium: Stade de la Paix Attendance: 24,172 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

8 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Gambia	5–1	Seychelles	Berkane, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1	Badamosi 10', 66' Barrow 52' (pen.) Minteh 55' Sidibeh 78'	Report	Henriette 14'	Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium Attendance: 700 Referee: Joseph Odey Ogabor (Nigeria)

11 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Gabon	3–2	Gambia	Franceville, Gabon
20:00 UTC+1	Allevinah 52' Aubameyang 70' Bouanga 71'	Report	Minteh 33' Adams 76'	Stadium: Stade de Franceville Referee: Sadok Selmi (Tunisia)

4 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Comoros	1–1	Gambia	El Jadida, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1	M'Changama 37'	Report	Barrow 45+1'	Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium Referee: Chelangat Sabilla (Uganda)

8 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Gambia	1–2	Tunisia	El Jadida, Morocco
16:00 UTC+1	Sowe 14'	Report	Abdi 11' Ben Romdhane 75'	Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Tewodros Mitiku (Ethiopia)

11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) 2025 AFCON qualification	Madagascar	1–1	Gambia	Casablanca, Morocco
15:00 UTC+1	Couturier 45+2'	Report	Minteh 90+7'	Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium Referee: Chelanget Sabila (Uganda)

14 October 2024 (2024-10-14) 2025 AFCON qualification	Gambia	1–0	Madagascar	El Jadida, Morocco
15:00 UTC+1	Barrow 62'	Report		Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)

15 November 2024 (2024-11-15) 2025 AFCON qualification	Gambia	1–2	Comoros	Berkane, Morocco
--:--	Jatta 18'	Report	Saïd 25' Maolida 90'	Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium Referee: Ibrahim Mutaz (Libya)

18 November 2024 (2024-11-18) 2025 AFCON qualification	Tunisia	0–1	Gambia	Tunis, Tunisia
20:00 UTC+1		Report	Ceesay 17'	Stadium: Hammadi Agrebi Stadium Referee: Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea (Ghana)

2025

28 May 2025 Friendly	Honduras	v	Gambia	Orlando, United States
				Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium

Coaching history

Hans Heiniger (1987–1992)
Sang Ndong (1992-1994)
Sang Ndong (1994–2003)
Antoine Hey (2006–2007)
José Martínez (2007–2008)
Paul Put (2008–2011)
Peter Bonu Johnson (2011–2012)
Luciano Mancini (2012–2013)
Peter Bonu Johnson (2013–2015)
Raoul Savoy (2015)
Sang Ndong (2016–2018)
Tom Saintfiet (2018–2024)
Johnny McKinstry (2024–)

Management and staff

Position	Name
Head Coach	Johnny McKinstry
Assistant Coaches	Sulayman Ceesay Omar Barrow
Goalkeeping Coach	Musa Touray
Fitness Coach	Edrissa Jatta
Match Analyst	Alieu Drammeh
Doctors	Dr. Ousman Colley Dr. Alhagie Jawara
Physiotherapists	Ebrima Jallow Modou Jarra Alassan Fofanah Hassan Darboe
Team Coordinator	Adama Sanyang
Technical Director	Sang Ndong

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Comoros and Tunisia on 15 and 18 November 2024.^[9]

Caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2024, after the match against Tunisia.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Ebrima Jarju	(1998-03-16) 16 March 1998 (age 26)	6	0	Paide
1GK	Sheikh Sibi	(1998-02-21) 21 February 1998 (age 26)	5	0	Virtus Verona
1GK	Lamin Saidy	(2001-06-17) 17 June 2001 (age 23)	2	0	Real de Banjul

2DF	Omar Colley (captain)	(1992-10-24) 24 October 1992 (age 32)	58	1	PAOK
2DF	Ibou Touray	(1994-12-24) 24 December 1994 (age 30)	27	0	Stockport County
2DF	James Gomez	(2001-11-14) 14 November 2001 (age 23)	24	1	Odense
2DF	Joseph Ceesay	(1998-06-03) 3 June 1998 (age 26)	5	0	Cesena
2DF	Jacob Mendy	(1996-12-27) 27 December 1996 (age 28)	3	0	Wrexham
2DF	Dadi Gaye	(1995-03-21) 21 March 1995 (age 29)	2	0	Strømsgodset
2DF	Baboucarr Njie	(1995-06-05) 5 June 1995 (age 29)	2	0	San Antonio
2DF	Momodou Lion Njie	(2001-12-10) 10 December 2001 (age 23)	1	0	KFUM Oslo

3MF	Ablie Jallow	(1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 26)	38	8	Metz
3MF	Ebou Adams	(1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28)	24	1	Derby County
3MF	Ebrima Darboe	(2001-06-06) 6 June 2001 (age 23)	18	0	Frosinone
3MF	Alasana Manneh	(1998-04-08) 8 April 1998 (age 26)	18	0	Odense
3MF	Mahmudu Bajo	(2004-08-15) 15 August 2004 (age 20)	4	0	FC DAC 1904
3MF	Abubakr Barry	(2000-07-02) 2 July 2000 (age 24)	1	0	Austria Wien

4FW	Musa Barrow	(1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 26)	46	9	Al Taawoun
4FW	Ali Sowe	(1994-06-14) 14 June 1994 (age 30)	18	1	Çaykur Rizespor
4FW	Abdoulie Sanyang	(1999-05-08) 8 May 1999 (age 25)	17	0	Hajduk Split
4FW	Alieu Fadera	(2001-11-03) 3 November 2001 (age 23)	13	0	Como
4FW	Yankuba Minteh	(2004-07-22) 22 July 2004 (age 20)	13	4	Brighton & Hove Albion
4FW	Abdoulie Ceesay	(2004-01-05) 5 January 2004 (age 20)	3	1	Paide
4FW	Suleiman Camara	(2001-12-07) 7 December 2001 (age 23)	2	0	Racing de Santander
4FW	Alassana Jatta	(1999-01-12) 12 January 1999 (age 25)	1	1	Notts County

Recent call ups

The following players have also been called up to the Gambia squad within the last twelve months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Lamin Sarr	(2001-03-11) 11 March 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Lunds BK	v. Gabon, 11 June 2024
GK	Modou Jobe	(1988-10-27) 27 October 1988 (age 36)	31	0	Black Leopards	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
GK	Baboucarr Gaye	(1998-02-24) 24 February 1998 (age 26)	21	0	Lokomotiv Sofia	2023 Africa Cup of Nations

DF	Edrissa Ceesay	(2001-04-16) 16 April 2001 (age 23)	3	0	Jedinstvo Ub	v. Tunisia, 8 September 2024
DF	Sainey Sanyang	(2003-04-18) 18 April 2003 (age 21)	0	0	CSKA Sofia	v. Tunisia, 8 September 2024
DF	Muhammed Sanneh	(2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 (age 24)	12	0	Free Agent	v. Gabon, 11 June 2024
DF	Omar Gaye	(1998-09-18) 18 September 1998 (age 26)	5	0	Free Agent	v. Gabon, 11 June 2024
DF	Dembo Saidykhan	(2004-01-20) 20 January 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Vancouver Whitecaps 2	v. Gabon, 11 June 2024
DF	Bubacarr Sanneh	(1994-11-14) 14 November 1994 (age 30)	40	1	FK Zvijezda 09	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Dawda Ngum	(1990-09-02) 2 September 1990 (age 34)	21	0	Ariana	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Noah Sonko Sundberg	(1996-06-06) 6 June 1996 (age 28)	18	0	Ludogorets Razgrad	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Saidy Janko	(1995-10-22) 22 October 1995 (age 29)	10	0	Young Boys	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
DF	Sulayman Bojang	(1997-09-03) 3 September 1997 (age 27)	6	0	Skeid	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
DF	Ismaila Jome	(1994-11-04) 4 November 1994 (age 30)	2	0	Oakland Roots	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
DF	Alagie Saine	(2003-01-20) 20 January 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Horsens	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE

MF	Saidou Khan	(1995-12-05) 5 December 1995 (age 29)	1	0	Swindon Town	v. Madagascar, 14 October 2024
MF	Hamza Barry	(1994-05-03) 3 May 1994 (age 30)	28	1	Vejle	v. Tunisia, 8 September 2024
MF	Yusupha Bobb	(1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 28)	21	0	KAC Marrakech	v. Gabon, 11 June 2024
MF	Sulayman Marreh	(1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28)	35	1	Železničar Pančevo	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
MF	Bubacarr Jobe	(1994-11-21) 21 November 1994 (age 30)	10	3	Kristianstad	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
MF	Sainey Njie	(2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 (age 23)	5	0	Radnik Surdulica	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
MF	Jesper Ceesay	(2003-05-04) 4 May 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Norrköping	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
MF	Saikou Touray	(2000-06-06) 6 June 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Grenoble	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE

FW	Muhammed Badamosi	(1998-12-27) 27 December 1998 (age 26)	26	4	Čukarički	v. Madagascar, 14 October 2024
FW	Ebrima Colley	(2000-02-01) 1 February 2000 (age 24)	28	2	Young Boys	v. Tunisia, 8 September 2024
FW	Musa Juwara	(2001-12-26) 26 December 2001 (age 23)	5	0	Vejle	v. Tunisia, 8 September 2024
FW	Adama Sidibeh	(1998-06-25) 25 June 1998 (age 26)	4	1	St Johnstone	v. Tunisia, 8 September 2024
FW	Adama Bojang	(2004-05-28) 28 May 2004 (age 20)	1	0	Reims	v. Gabon, 11 June 2024
FW	Assan Ceesay	(1994-03-17) 17 March 1994 (age 30)	41	13	Damac	2023 Africa Cup of Nations
FW	Lamin Jallow	(1994-07-22) 22 July 1994 (age 30)	19	1	Fidelis Andria	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
FW	Dembo Darboe	(1998-08-17) 17 August 1998 (age 26)	5	0	Astana	2023 Africa Cup of Nations ^PRE
^WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue. ^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. ^PRE Preliminary squad. ^RET Player has retired from international football. ^SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records

As of 18 November 2024^[10]

Players in bold are still active with Gambia.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Omar Colley	56	1	2012–present
2	Musa Barrow	44	9	2018-present
3	Pa Modou Jagne	43	2	2006–2022
4	Assan Ceesay	41	13	2013–present
5	Bubacarr Sanneh	40	1	2012–present
6	Ebrima Sohna	38	3	2007–2022
7	Sulayman Marreh	35	1	2011–present
8	Abdou Jammeh	33	2	2006–2015
9	Ablie Jallow	32	8	2015–present
10	Modou Jobe	31	0	2007–present

Top goalscorer

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Assan Ceesay	13	41	0.32	2013–present
2	Musa Barrow	9	44	0.2	2018–present
3	Ablie Jallow	8	32	0.25	2015–present
4	Momoudou Ceesay	6	16	0.38	2010–2015
5	Omar Samba	5	11	0.45	1995–2002
	Jatto Ceesay	5	17	0.29	1994–2007
	Mustapha Jarju	5	26	0.19	2006–2013
8	Yankuba Minteh	4	10	0.4	2022–present
8	Muhammed Badamosi	4	24	0.17	2018–present
10	Samuel Kargbo	3	9	0.33	1994–1996
	Njogu Demba-Nyrén	3	15	0.2	2006–2011
	Edrissa Sonko	3	16	0.19	1996–2008
	Aziz Corr Nyang	3	17	0.18	2002–2011
	Bubacarr Jobe	3	17	0.18	2018–present
	Mamadou Danso	3	20	0.15	2011–2019
	Ebrima Ebou Sillah	3	24	0.13	1996–2008
	Ebrima Sohna	3	38	0.08	2007–2022

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1950	Part of United Kingdom								Part of United Kingdom
1954 to 1966	Not a FIFA member								Not a FIFA member
1970 to 1978	Did not enter								Did not enter
1982	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	2	1
1986	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	3	6
1990	Did not enter								Did not enter
1994	Withdrew								Withdrew
1998	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	2	5
2002									2	0	0	2	0	3
2006									2	1	0	1	2	3
2010									6	2	3	1	6	3
2014									6	1	1	4	4	11
2018									2	0	1	1	2	3
2022									2	0	0	2	1	3
2026	To be determined								3	1	0	3	9	9
2030									To be determined
2034									To be determined
Total	–	0/14	–	–	–	–	–	–	30	7	6	17	31	47

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957 to 1963	Part of United Kingdom
1965	Not affiliated to CAF
1968 to 1974	Did not enter
1976	Did not qualify
1978	Did not enter
1980 to 1988	Did not qualify
1990	Withdrew
1992	Did not qualify
1994	Did not enter
1996	Withdrew during qualifying
1998	Banned for withdrawing in 1996
2000	Withdrew
2002 to 2013	Did not qualify
2015	Banned
2017	Did not qualify
2019	Did not qualify
2021	Quarter-finals	6th	5	3	1	1	4	3
2023	Group stage	23rd	3	0	0	3	2	7
2025	Did not qualify
2027	To be determined
2029	To be determined
Total	Quarter-finals	2/34	8	3	1	4	6	10

Honours

Regional

Amilcar Cabral Cup
- Runners-up (3): 1980, 1985, 2001
- Third place (1): 1993

Notes

References

^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Gambia v Lesotho, 13 October 2002". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
^ "The Gambia". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Gambia". World Football Elo Rankings. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
^ "Gambia – List of International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
^ "The Gambia disqualified from all Caf competitions". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
^ "Gambia National Stadium". Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
^ "Johnny names 24 Scorpions for this month's TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers against Comoros and Tunisia". Facebook. Gambia Football Federation. 3 October 2024.
^ "Gambia". National Football Teams.

External links

Official website of the Gambian Football Federation
Gambia at CAF
Gambia at FIFA

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.

[11v11-2] "Gambia v Lesotho, 13 October 2002". 11v11.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2020.

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-3] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.

[4] "The Gambia". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.

[5] "World Football Elo Ratings: Gambia". World Football Elo Rankings. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2019.

[6] "Gambia – List of International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2012.

[7] "The Gambia disqualified from all Caf competitions". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.

[8] "Gambia National Stadium". Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.

[9] "Johnny names 24 Scorpions for this month's TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers against Comoros and Tunisia". Facebook. Gambia Football Federation. 3 October 2024.

[10] "Gambia". National Football Teams.

[1]

[2]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

v t e Gambia national football team
General	Gambia Football Association History Managers Honours
Stadium	Independence Box Bar
Players	Squad
Records and statistics	Results 2020–present
Africa Cup of Nations	Summary 2021 2023
Other teams	U23 U20 U17 Women

v t e National football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion¹
¹ Regional team, an associate member of CAF but not a member of FIFA Football in Africa portal