Tom Saintfiet, the coach of the Gambia national football team, conveyed his team’s preparedness and determination to secure a victory. Addressing the media at a press conference on Thursday morning, the Belgian coach emphasized the Scorpions’ focus on the upcoming match and their intent to secure a positive result.
The match, scheduled for Friday, January 19, 2023, at the Charles Konan Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro, presents a significant challenge for Gambia as they face the formidable Syli of Guinea in the second day of the group stages.
Tom Saintfiet, keen on dismissing any reliance on past victories over Guinea, asserted that tomorrow’s fixture is an entirely new contest, with both teams eager for success.
Acknowledging the determination of the Guinean team, led by coach Kaba Diawara, Saintfiet stated, “I know that the Guineans are determined… Kaba Diawara is a good coach who has many alternatives, but we come tomorrow to win.” T
he Belgian coach emphasized that the objective for Gambia is not merely to participate but to progress beyond the first round in the CAN tournament.
Expressing confidence in his team’s readiness, Saintfiet highlighted the return of two key players, absent in their previous match against Senegal, due to card accumulations during the qualifiers.
He affirmed, “We want a good result because we want to stay here longer, we don’t want to go back in the group stages.”
Reflecting on the historical victory against Guinea in 2022, Saintfiet underscored that such achievements belong to the past, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of each match.
While acknowledging Guinea’s strength and motivation, the coach expressed confidence in his team’s ability to achieve a favorable outcome.
The unique connection between the two coaches, Saintfiet and Kaba Diawara, was also highlighted.
The Gambia Scorpions’ coach reminisced about their time working together at Al-Ittihad, a Qatari club, 20 years ago, emphasizing the positive and professional relationship he shared with Diawara.
As Gambia prepares to face Guinea in what is anticipated to be a challenging match, Tom Saintfiet’s strategic approach and the team’s determination will undoubtedly add intrigue to this encounter in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
