Gambia will play Mali in a two-legged friendly match in readiness for their forthcoming 2018 African Women's Cup of Nations qualifiers.

 The two teams will meet on the 16th and 19th of May as Gambia prepares to take on defending AWCON champions Nigeria for a place in the continental showpiece.

The friendlies will form part of coach Mariama Sowe's training programme for the Queen Scorpions who are aiming to compete at the finals in Ghana later this year.

Their desire to qualify for the main event have seen coach Sowe invited 22 players to camp at the National Technical Training Centre in Yundum.

Unfortunately, two of their key players; Mariama Bojang (Red Scorpion) and Mbassey Darboe (Interior Ladies) have been ruled out of the qualifiers with injuries.

Gambia eliminated Burkina Faso 5-3 on penalties in the previous phase of the continental qualifying campaign after both sides were tied 3-3 on aggregate.

Their first leg qualifier against Nigeria comes on Tuesday, June 5th at the Independence Stadium in Baku; with the return leg set for June 11 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Gambia's Queen Scorpions squad:

Goalkeepers: Mariama Ceesay (Red Scorpions), Aminata Gaye (Interior Ladies).

Defenders: Clara Gomez (Interior Ladies), Awa Jawo (Red Scorpions), Mama Saidy (Interior Ladies), Rugi Sowe (Armed Forces), Mamie Sylva (Armed Forces), Ajara Samba (Red Scorpions), Amie Jarjue (Interior Ladies), Nenneh Jallow (City Girl).

Midfielders: Penda Bah (Interior Ladies), Metta Sanneh (Interior Ladies), Awa Tamba (Red Scorpions), Binta Colley (Interior Ladies), Jabou Jobarteh (Interior Ladies), Fanta Jarju (Armed Forces), Fatou Darboe (Interior Ladies).

Forwards: Aminata Camara (Red Scorpions), Adama Tamba (Red Scorpions), Isatou Jallow Interior Ladies) Mam Drammeh (Abuko United), Ola Buwaro (Red Scorpions).

In the meantime, the Super Falcons of Nigeria yesterday began training in Abuja under the guidance of head coach Thomas Dennerby and his assistants.


Most of the 26 players called to camp by Dennerby were part of the home-based team that finished third at the recently held maiden edition of the WAFU Women's Cup in Côte d'Ivoire.

Winners of the second round qualifiers will join hosts Ghana in the final tournament billed for November 17 to December 1.



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