Scorpions jet in Morocco ahead of World Cup qualifier match

Scorpions of Gambia

The Scorpions of The Gambia have arrived in the city of Marrakech ahead of their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against the Atlas Lions of Morocco on Saturday.

The team left Banjul in the early hours of Wednesday morning on board Royal Air Maroc for a three-and-half-hour journey to Marrakech via Casablanca.

Morocco know that nothing short of victory at home to Gambia on Saturday 15 June at the Stade de Marrakech will be good enough to keep their Brazilian dreams alive.

The North African side trail pool leaders Ivory Coast by five points with two rounds left, meaning victory in this match is essential for them while Gambia, who cannot progress, will only be playing for pride.

Morocco have rather stuttered through their qualification campaign, which started with a 1-1 draw in Gambia last June.

That draw was the only time Gambia have avoided defeat to Morocco in their six previous meetings and it would be a major surprise were they to get anything out of this match either as their hopes of a place in Brazil died some time ago.

The Scorpions are with a 30-man delegation in Morocco, nine of which are officials. FC Kairat Almaty striker Momodou ‘Zico’ Ceesay and Portland Timbers defender Mamadou Futty Danso had to pull out in the away trip to Morocco due to slight knocks suffered in the 3-0 defeat at home to Ivory Coast.

Officials:

Lamin Camara – Head of delegation

Modou Sowe – Team administrator

Peter Bonu Johnson – Head Coach

Luciano Mancini – Technical assistant

Ansu Fatty – Goalkeeper coach

Kalifa Manneh – Team doctor

Pa Matarr Ndow – Physio

Amadou Jaiteh – Kits Manager

Bakary B Baldeh – Media officer

Players:

Christopher Allen – Gambia Ports Authority

Alhagie Modou Jobe – Real de Banjul

Bubacarr Sanyang – Gambia Armed Forces

Abdou Jammeh – Steve Biko

Emmanuel Gomez – Samger

Lamin ‘Basmen’ Samateh – NK Lokomotiva Zagreb

Pa Modou Jagne – FC St Gallen

Omar Colley – Kuopion Palloseura [KuPS]

Ebrima Sohna – FC Vostok

Matarr Nyan – Gamtel

Mustapha ‘Toubabo’ Jarju – RAEC Mons

Hamza Barry – Gambia Ports Authority

Demba Savage – HJK Helsinki

Sulayman Marreh – Samger

Tijan Jaiteh – Sanderdjofd

Abdoulie ‘Kenny’ Mansally – Real Salt Lake

Saloum Faal – Casa Sport

Yusupha Bobb – Hawks

Sanna Nyassi – Montreal Impact

Ousman Manneh – Steve Biko

Ali Sowe – AC Chievo Verona