The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Nanama Keita
31 October 2009
Banjul — The Gambia Under 17 head coach Tarik Siagy has apologised to Gambian fans for his side?s disappointing display at the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.
The Baby Scorpions, who entered the Nigeria event as African flag bearers, started their campaign with a shock 2-0 defeat against Asian champions Iran before subduing to Holland 2-1 in their second Group C match in Nigeria?s south-eastern city of Calabar. As they prepare to take on Colombia in their third and final group match on Saturday ? a tie that may just be a formality for unimpressive Gambian side - Coach Tarik Siagy already knew the damage has already been done. The Egyptian tactician, who had claimed that his team are battle-ready for the Nigeria event prior to the start of the games on October 24, decided to eat a humble pie when he admitted that his team have failed to play a collective team game due to lack of experience.
Saigy revealed that his side comprised young school boys, who were picked for the championship after all but five of the former team members that won the African Championship in Algeria were disqualified by the MRI scan a few months ago. "I am sorry for the loss, my team is made up of inexperienced boys who have no team work, hence we made a lot of mistakes that caused us the loss in the second game," he explained.
Tarik Siagy assured that he would work on his boys before their last match against Colombia in the weekend, albeit the Gambia?s hopes of progressing to the next stage of the championship look an impossible mission.
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