Banjul — The Gambia Under 17 team coach Tarik Siagy has gone for a mix of youth and experience in his final 21-man squad for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup tournament starting this weekend in Nigeria.

Talismanic striker Ebrima Bojang who shone during the training tour of London, Steve Biko's rocky defender Lamin Samteh and Sea View's midfielder Pateh Nyang top the list of experienced players in the list that can also boast of one European-based player in Alieu Darboe, who presently plies his route with the French Ligue One side, Le Mans.Samger trio of Lamin Sarjo Samateh, Buba Jallow and Kisima Bojang are also among the new faces that forced their way into the frame.

However, the crafted Gambia Ports Authority winger Saikou Gassama who was also the team's anchorman during the African Nations Cup success in Algeria has failed to make the final list. The Gambian team, who left Banjul last night for Nigeria, will enter the 24-team tournament as African kings. The Baby Scorpions have been paired alongside Iran, Colombia and Holland in Group C that will be based in Nigeria's south-eastern city of Calabar.

The Gambians will open their group account against Asian representatives Iran on October 25, before facing familiar opponents Holland in second group match on October 28. The two-time African heroes will close out the first round against Colombia on October 31.