Gambia coach dreaming of a World Cup slot after drawing Harambee Stars

The Gambia national team’s head coach Tom Saintfiet believes that they have a good chance of making their maiden World Cup appearance in 2026.

Gambia found themselves in Group F together with Kenya’s Harambee Stars, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, and Seychelles. While Saintfiet current attention is on their AFCON Qualifier against Congo in September, he feels that they can glide past their opponents.

Also Read: Wazito coach blames Migori pitch for playoff draw

“The last weeks I was really looking forward to the draw and its really exciting because I gave myself (a target) to qualify the Gambia for the first time to the World Cup and I think we have a good qualification group. We need only a stable performance and not drop unnecessary points; If you look at the past groups of six, I think you need 21 to 22 points to qualify,” he said.

“I’m satisfied with the draw; I believe that we’re allowed to dream and believe. It’s possible, now we need to start working even though it won’t be easy but we have a fair chance. But first, we’ve to focus on the important game against Congo Brazzaville in the AFCON qualifier and after that, we focus fully on the World Cup qualifier,” the tactician told the GFF Media.

🎥WATCH

Highlights of Migori Youth’s goalless draw against Wazito FC in the first leg of the FKF/NSL Playoff.#Pepeta#FKFPL#NSL#FootballKe pic.twitter.com/iFZl77UtiK

— Pepeta (@pepeta_ke) July 15, 2023

While many feel that Ivory Coast is the outright favorite in the group owing to their past outings and the players at their disposal, Saintfiet thinks their opponents aren’t at the same level as some of the best teams in the continent stating that there are no easy teams in the qualifiers.

“There are no easy teams, we know that from so many years already but it’s also possible. Seychelles, Burundi and Kenya are good opponents, we need to be well-focused and not drop unnecessary points. Gabon, we know very well, we lost against them away and won at home. It will be a tough game and we’ve to be focused.

“We’re not the favourites but on the other side as a coach I think we’ve chances and the group is competitive. I think we can compete until the last match day,” he concluded.

The first leg of the qualifiers are set between November 13^th and 21^st 2023.

Also Read: Wazito and Migori Youth fight for a draw in the first leg of qualifiers