U-17 WC: African champions face elimination

  1. Posted on Thursday 29 October 2009 - 10:40
    Kemo
    Image of Kemo
    Kemo Cham, AfricaNews reporter in Dakar, Senegal
    African Champions, Gambia, might be among the first teams to return home after a rather disappointing performance at the ongoing Under 17 World championships in Nigeria. They lost 2-1 to Netherlands at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar. The reigning Africa champions clashed with the Dutch Wednesday.
    Gambia U-17
    The match which commenced at 1530 GMT, saw the Dutch team took the lead at the 19th minute, when Luc Castaignos took advantage of a low pass across, taking goalkeeper Ousman Darbone totally unawares.

    But the Baby Scorpions would manage an equaliser about six minutes later, through its widely respected captain, Ebrima Bojang. Ebrima’s goal however came as a result of a penalty awarded to the West Africans, after the Uzbek referee, Ravshan Irmatov, decided to reward them for Ruben Ligeon’s foul against Lamin Sarjo Samateh, right in the 18 yard box. The match at that point went deadlock until the second half.

    The Dutch’s persistent practical domination of the match since the resumption of the second half paid off eventually with a second goal coming through a perfect combination of Ouasim Bouy and Tom Boere, at the 70th minutes.

    Bouy who came in for Ola John sent a cross to fellow substitute Boere, who nodded the ball into the African Champions’ net, effectively sealing their win. That remained the line of score until the referee blew the final whistle.

    This result means the Africa Champions, who are yet to win a single match, remains at the bottom of Group C and faces elimination without a point and only one goal to show for their efforts. Analysts however say a win for them against Colombia might present some hopes of getting into next stage of the tournament as one of the best losers.

    But back home in Gambia, the feeling is one of disappointment and frustration. ‘‘Nobody talks about it,’’ said a disappointed young fan whom this reporter communicated to through Facebook. She added ‘‘the whole country is disappointed not only for the fact we have been beaten, but also the fact that are the champions of Africa, we will be returning home so soon.’’

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