The Scorpions of Gambia have begun assembling in Banjul ahead of their opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Head coach Jonathan McKinstry is preparing his squad for a home fixture against Somalia on Friday, 25 September, before the team travels to Accra to face Ghana on 29 September.
A total of 20 players are now in camp, with the latest arrivals joining their team-mates as preparations intensify for the two qualifying matches.
The first group of players, numbering 16 and including captain Omar Colley, had already reported to the team’s base at the Cocoa Ocean Resort and Spa.
Four more players joined the squad later in the day. Abubakary Barry, Alagie Saine, Mamudu Bajo and Abdoulie Ceesay arrived in Banjul to bring the number of players in camp to 20.
The remaining members of the squad are expected to arrive later in the night, giving McKinstry the opportunity to work with a full group ahead of the opening qualifier.
The Scorpions also held an open training session at the Independence Stadium as they stepped up their preparations for Friday’s match against Somalia.
The session, scheduled for 16:00, was opened to members of the public and the press, allowing supporters to watch the team train at the newly rehabilitated stadium.
Fans and journalists were present as McKinstry put his players through their preparations at the Independence Stadium.
The open session formed part of the team’s build-up to the first match of its AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, with the coaching staff continuing to bring the squad together following the arrival of players from different locations.
The Gambia will begin the campaign at home against Somalia before travelling to Ghana four days later for the second fixture.
With the majority of the squad now in camp, attention will turn to final preparations for the Somalia encounter.
The arrival of Colley and the other early members of the squad has provided McKinstry with a core group to work with, while the subsequent arrivals have increased the options available to the head coach.
The Scorpions’ opening fixture against Somalia will take place on Friday, 25 September, at home. Their second match is scheduled for 29 September in Accra against Ghana.
The two games represent the opening stages of The Gambia’s campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
For McKinstry and his players, the immediate focus is on ensuring the squad is fully assembled and prepared before the first whistle against Somalia.
With the final players expected to arrive later in the evening, the Scorpions are moving closer to having a complete squad as they prepare to begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying journey.
