Gambia women's national football team

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This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Gambia national football team.

The Gambia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Scorpions
AssociationGambia Football Federation (GFF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachYahya Manneh
FIFA codeGAM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 129 Steady (15 March 2024)[1]
Highest104 (December 2020)
Lowest129 (December 2023 – March 2024)
First international
 Morocco 2–1 Gambia 
(Rabat, Morocco; 4 April 2018) [2]
Biggest win
 Sierra Leone 1–4 Gambia 
(Espargos, Cape Verde; 21 January 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Cameroon 8–0 Gambia 
(Yaoundé, Cameroon; 18 February 2022)

The Gambia women's national football team (recognized at The Gambia by FIFA)[3] represents the Gambia in international women's football. It is governed by the Gambia Football Federation. As of December 2019, it has only competed in one major international competition, the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualification. The Gambia has two youth teams, an under-17 side that has competed in FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifiers, and an under-19 side that withdrew from regional qualifiers for an under-19 World Cup. The development of a national team faces challenges similar to those across Africa, although the national football association has four staff members focusing on women's football.

History[edit]

The team[edit]

In 1985, few countries had women's national football teams.[4] While the sport gained popularity worldwide in later decades, the Gambia's national team only played its first game in 2007.[5][6] That game was not FIFA-recognized.

The Gambian Senior National Team's first appearance at a major event occurred in April 2018 when they lost a 1–2 result at Burkina Faso in the opening round of qualifying for the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations. In the second leg of the fixture, the Gambia produced a 2–1 victory of their own. As the results of both legs were identical, a penalty shoot-out was required to determine which squad would advance. The Gambia converted all five of its penalty kicks, and advanced to the second round of qualifying.[7] The Gambia drew the defending Cup of Nations champions Nigeria as their second round opponent. They failed to score against the Super Falcons, and were eliminated from the tournament with a 0–7 aggregate line.[8]

The country did not have a FIFA-recognised youth national team until 2012, when the Gambia under-17 women's team competed in Confederation of African Football qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be held in Azerbaijan in September 2012. The Gambia fielded a team of 24 players, narrowed from an initial pool of 49 young women.[9][10] Two girls from the SOS Children’s Village Bakoteh were chosen as a members of the team.[9] The Gambia first played Sierra Leone in a pair of qualifying matches for the tournament. The Gambia won the first match 3–0 in Banjul, the Gambia's capital.[10] The return match was delayed for 24 hours and played in Makeni.[10] The Gambia beat Sierra Leone 4–3 to qualify for the final round.[11] The Gambia then beat Tunisia 1–0 at home and won 2–1 in the away fixture. Adama Tamba and Awa Demba scored the Gambia's goals. Tunisia's only goal was a Gambian own goal. The win qualified the Gambia for the 2012 Azerbaijan World Cup.[12]

The Gambia also has an under-19 team that was to play in the 2002 African U-19 Women's Championship. That Gambian squad's first match was to be against Morocco, but the team withdrew from the competition.[13]

Background and development[edit]

The development of women's football in Africa faces several challenges, including limited access to education, poverty amongst women, inequalities and human rights abuses targeting women.[14][15][16][17] Funding is another issue impacting the game in Africa, where most financial assistance comes from FIFA and not national football associations.[18] Another challenge is the retention of football players. Many women footballers leave the continent to seek greater opportunity in Europe or the United States.[18]

Gambia's national football association was founded in 1952, and became affiliated with FIFA in 1968.[19][20] Football is the most popular women's sport in the country, and was first played in an organized system in 1998.[20] A national competition was launched in 2007,[21] the same year FIFA started an education course on football for women.[5] Competition was active on both the national and scholastic levels by 2009.[5] There are four staffers dedicated to women's football in the Gambia Football Association, and representation of women on the board is required by the association's charter.[20]

Death of Fatim Jawara[edit]

In September 2016, Fatim Jawara, a member of the national team, left Serekunda in her homeland the Gambia and crossed the Sahara Desert to Libya.[22] In November 2016, she travelled with others on two boats across the Mediterranean Sea, heading towards the Lampedusa island of Italy.[23] She did this as she sought to smuggle herself into Europe, where the national team was due to play Casa Sports F.C. from Senegal as part of a festival to celebrate women's football.[24] Due to a severe storm, their boats capsized and Jawara drowned at the age of 19, with her family was contacted several days after the tragedy.[24] Lamin Kaba Bajo, President of the Gambia Football Federation, said "We are grieving at the moment as this is a great loss to the national soccer team and the nation."[22]

Team image[edit]

Home stadium[edit]

Results and fixtures[edit]

Main article: Gambia women's national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2023[edit]

21 January 2023 (2023-01-21) 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup GS Sierra Leone  1–4  Gambia Sal, Cape Verde
18:00 Kabba 62' Report Jatta 2', 20', 56', 72' Stadium: Estádio Marcelo Leitão
Referee: Sylvina Garnett (Liberia)
23 January 2023 (2023-01-23) 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup GS Gambia  1–4  Senegal Sal, Cape Verde
18:00 Jatta 45+3' (pen.) Diallo 2', 49', 71', 83' Stadium: Estádio Marcelo Leitão
Referee: Sylvina Garnett (Liberia)
25 January 2023 (2023-01-25) 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup GS Guinea  0–1  Gambia Sal, Cape Verde
15:00 Jatta 75' Stadium: Estádio Marcelo Leitão
27 January 2023 (2023-01-27) 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup SF Cape Verde  2–1  Gambia Sal, Cape Verde
15:00
[ Report (FCF)] Jatta 66' Stadium: Estádio Marcelo Leitão
29 January 2023 (2023-01-29) 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup 3rd place Gambia  3–2  Guinea-Bissau Sal, Cape Verde
15:00
Stadium: Estádio Marcelo Leitão
21 September 2023 (2023-09-21) 2024 AFWCON qualification First round 1st leg Gambia  2–3  Namibia El Jadida, Morocco
15:00 UTC±0
Report (GFF)
Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
24 September 2023 (2023-09-24) 2024 AFWCON qualification First round 2nd leg Namibia  2–0
(5–2 agg.)		  Gambia El Jadida, Morocco
15:00 UTC+1
Report (GFF)
Report (NFA)		 Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Note: Namibia won 5–2 on aggregate

Coaching staff[edit]

Current coaching staff[edit]

Position Name Ref.
Head coach The Gambia Yahya Manneh [25]

Manager history[edit]

  • Bubacarr Jallow (????–2022)
  • The Gambia Bubacarr Jallow(2022–2023)
  • The Gambia Yahya Manneh (2023– )

Players[edit]

See also: Category:Gambia women's international footballers

Current squad[edit]

This is the convened selection for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification in September 2023.[26]

Caps and goals accurate up to and including 19 June 2021.

  • List of players still not update
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1GK Fatou Joof Senegal Casa Sport FC
18 1GK Matty Manga Nigeria Bayelsa Queen
22 1GK Mariama Ceesay (1998-01-22) 22 January 1998 (age 26) The Gambia Red Scorpions
13 2DF Mariama Bojang The Gambia
13 2DF Ruggy Joof (2001-04-13) 13 April 2001 (age 23) Liberia Determine Girls
2DF Wuday Colley The Gambia Greater Tomorrow
2DF Veronic Sambo The Gambia
2DF Fatou Fatty The Gambia Red Scorpions
2DF Fatou Darboe The Gambia Police FC
2DF Juana Colley The Gambia
3MF Kaddy Jatta (1993-11-28) 28 November 1993 (age 30) The Gambia Red Scorpions
19 3MF Metta Sanneh (1993-02-10) 10 February 1993 (age 31) The Gambia Police FC
19 3MF Isatou Jallow Nigeria
19 3MF Kumba Kassama The Gambia
2 3MF Mbassey Darboe (1998-05-20) 20 May 1998 (age 25) Liberia Determine Girls
19 3MF Manyima Stevelmans (2000-10-31) 31 October 2000 (age 23) Turkey ALG Spor
4FW Kumba Kuyateh (1996-10-27) 27 October 1996 (age 27) The Gambia Red Scorpions
4FW Haddy Wally The Gambia
4FW Mam Drammeh The Gambia
4FW Fatoumatta Jammeh The Gambia Red Scorpions
4FW Fatou Kanteh Spain Villarreal
4FW Elizabeth Ndecky The Gambia
4FW Catherine Jatta Liberia
4FW Fatoumatta Sonko Senegal

Recent call-ups[edit]

The following players have been called up to a Gambia squad in the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up


GK Ramatoulie Dukureh - - The Gambia City Girls FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's CupPRE
GK Fatou Kine Mendy - - The Gambia Berewuleng 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
GK Aminata Gaye (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 (age 28) - - The Gambia Police FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
DF Sally Ceesay - - The Gambia Police FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's CupPRE
DF Juwana Colley (1997-10-11) 11 October 1997 (age 26) The Gambia Koita FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's CupPRE
DF Fatou Lowe - - The Gambia Police FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
DF Bintou Ceesay - - The Gambia Police FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
DF Fatoumatta Mook - - The Gambia Police FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
MF Awa Jawo (1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 (age 27) - - Senegal 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's CupPRE
MF Kadijatou Bayo - - The Gambia Red Scorpions
MF Mamie Sylva (1992-04-25) 25 April 1992 (age 31) - - The Gambia Police FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
MF Jabou Jobarteh - - The Gambia Police FC 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
FW Ola Buwaro (1996-11-28) 28 November 1996 (age 27) - - The Gambia Red Scorpions 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
FW Kaddy Jarju - - The Gambia Future Bi 2023 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup

Previous squads[edit]

WAFU Zone A Women's Cup

Records[edit]

*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 1 August 2021.

Competitive record[edit]

FIFA Women's World Cup[edit]

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD
China 1991 Did not enter
Sweden 1995
United States 1999
United States 2003
China 2007
Germany 2011
Canada 2015
France 2019 Did not qualify
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Did not qualify
Total 0/9 - - - - - - -
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games[edit]

Summer Olympics record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD
United States 1996 Did not enter
Australia 2000
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012
Brazil 2016
Japan 2021
Total 0/7 - - - - - - -

Africa Women Cup of Nations[edit]

Africa Women Cup of Nations record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
1991 Did not enter
1995
Nigeria 1998
South Africa 2000
Nigeria 2002
South Africa 2004
Nigeria 2006
Equatorial Guinea 2008
South Africa 2010
Equatorial Guinea 2012
Namibia 2014
Cameroon 2016
Ghana 2018 Did not qualify
2020 Cancelled due to covid
Morocco 2022 Did not qualify
Morocco 2024 Did not qualify
Total 0/13 0 0 0 0 0 0
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

African Games[edit]

African Games record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
Nigeria 2003 Did not enter
Algeria 2007
Mozambique 2011 Did not qualify
Republic of the Congo 2015
Morocco 2019
Ghana 2023 To Be Determined
Total 0/4 0 0 0 0 0 0

WAFU Women's Cup record[edit]

WAFU Zone A Women's Cup
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA
Sierra Leone 2020 Group Stage 5th 3 1 0 2 4 10
Total Group Stage 1/1 3 0 0 3 1 17

Honours[edit]

Regional[edit]

WAFU Zone A Women's Cup

All−time record against FIFA recognized nations[edit]

The list shown below shows the Djibouti national football team all−time international record against opposing nations.
*As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)
Against Pld W D L GF GA GD Confederation

Record per opponent[edit]

*As ofxxxxx after match against xxxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)

The following table shows Djibouti's all-time official international record per opponent:

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD W% Confederation
Total —

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Gambia 1-2 Morocco- Warm up for Women's Scorpions – THE GFF | Official Website". Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  3. ^ "The Gambia". FIFA. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  4. ^ Chrös McDougall (1 January 2012). Soccer. ABDO. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-61783-146-1. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "Goal! Football: Gambie" (PDF). FIFA. 21 April 2009. p. 3. Retrieved 16 April 2012.[dead link]
  6. ^ Saavedra, Martha; Centerfor African Studies, University of California, Berkeley (December 2007). "Women's Football in Africa" (PDF). Third Transnational Meeting on Sport and Gender, Urbino. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2012.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ http://www.cafonline.com/en-us/competitions/11theditionwomenafcon-ghana2018/Fixtures?roundId=b5b9XUlkEPMAUe1kOhsANknd7oWMBWxJVgdPBHTlgJr9z70IRXPNalV%2b6nUnzydk 2018 CAF Cup of Nations Qualifying First Round Fixtures
  8. ^ http://www.cafonline.com/en-us/competitions/11theditionwomenafcon-ghana2018/Fixtures?roundId=s0WFLeaiyMTF9ZW6A2P2K1bFD4SeGhnZHUqvKvqW40oxroG0RTQDjUw1wbfCebMP 2018 CAF Cup of Nations Qualifying Second Round Fixtures
  9. ^ a b "Goal for the girls!". SOS Children's Villages International. 21 January 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  10. ^ a b c "Sierra Leone host Gambia in FIFA Women's U-17 qualifying match in Makeni". Sierra Leone Football. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  11. ^ "Gambia beat Tunisia on the 1st lega of the Final Round". Gambia: Gambia Football Association. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  12. ^ "Gambian Girls Make Heroic Return". Gambia: Gambia Football Association. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  13. ^ "African Women U-19 Championship 2002". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  14. ^ Jean Williams (15 December 2007). A Beautiful Game: International Perspectives on Women's Football. Berg. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-84520-674-1. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  15. ^ Richard Giulianotti; David McArdle (2006). Sport, Civil Liberties and Human Rights. Routledge. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7146-5344-0. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  16. ^ Chris Hallinan; Steven J. Jackson (31 August 2008). Social And Cultural Diversity In A Sporting World. Emerald Group Publishing. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-0-7623-1456-0. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  17. ^ Jean Williams (18 December 2003). A Game for Rough Girls?: A History of Women's Football in Britain. Routledge. pp. 173–175. ISBN 978-0-415-26338-2. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  18. ^ a b Gabriel Kuhn (24 February 2011). Soccer Vs. the State: Tackling Football and Radical Politics. PM Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-60486-053-5. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  19. ^ Ballard, John; Suff, Paul (1999). The dictionary of football : the complete A-Z of international football from Ajax to Zinedine Zidane. London: Boxtree. p. 258. ISBN 0752224344. OCLC 59442612.
  20. ^ a b c FIFA (2006). "Women's Football Today" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. ^ "Goal! Football: Gambie" (PDF). FIFA. 21 April 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 16 April 2012.[dead link]
  22. ^ a b France-Presse, Agense (2 November 2016). "Gambian national goalkeeper dies during Mediterranean crossing". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  23. ^ Jason Burke (3 November 2016). "Gambia goalkeeper who died in Mediterranean wanted to play in Europe". the Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  24. ^ a b "Gambia goalkeeper dies trying to reach Europe". BBC News. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  25. ^ coach
  26. ^ "Gambia 🇬🇲 squad to play Namibia". Twitter.
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