Gambia name 35-man provisional squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Gambia head coach Jonathan McKinstry has announced a provisional 35-man squad for the Scorpions’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Somalia and Ghana.

The Gambia will begin their qualifying campaign at home against Somalia on September 25, 2026, with the match scheduled to take place at the Independence Stadium in Banjul.

Four days later, McKinstry’s side will travel to Accra to face Ghana on September 29 as they continue their quest to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON.

The provisional squad features a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents, with several players currently plying their trade across Europe and beyond.

The home clash against Somalia presents Gambia with an opportunity to begin their campaign with maximum points before turning their attention to the difficult trip to Accra to take on the Black Stars four days later.

Gambia Provisional Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye (Shkendija), Sheikh Sibi (Virtus Verona), Ebrima Jarju (Paide).

Defenders: Omar Colley (Al-Diriyah), Sheriff Sinyan (Rapid Bucharest), Yaya Bojang (Alverca), James Gomez (Odense BK), Mamadou Jobe (Stockport County), Alagie Saine (AC Horsens), Joseph Colley (KF Tirana), Tijan Sonha (Radnik Surdulica), Ibou Touray (Bradford City), Sainey Sanyang (Botev Vratsa), Joseph Ceesay (Empoli).

Midfielders: Ebou Adams (Portsmouth FC), Abubakr Barry (RB Salzburg), Mouhamadou Drammeh (Universitatea Cluj), Mahmudu Bajo (FC Crvena Zvezda), Karamba Gassama (Gaziantep), Saidou Khan (Club Africain).

Forwards: Suleiman Camara (Slovan Bratislava), Abdoulie Manneh (Cercle Brugge), Musa Barrow (Al Khaleej), Ebrima Colley (Konyaspor), Abdoulie Sanyang (Hajduk Split), Alieu Fadera (Cagliari), Salieu Drammeh (Standard Liège), Musa Juwara (Pogon Szczecin), Alasana Yirajang (Slovan Bratislava), Nfansu Njie (ETO FC), Adama Sidibeh (Stockport County), Abdoulie Ceesay (St. Pauli), Adama Bojang (Charleroi), Alassana Jatta (Casa Pia), Mohamed Badamosi (Riga).

McKinstry will now look to prepare his squad for the opening two fixtures, with the Scorpions hoping to make a strong start to their qualification campaign.