Tom Saintfiet, head coach of the Gambia senior national team, has released his 23-man squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier to South Sudan next week.

The match will be played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt on Wednesday 14 June at 1:30pm (Gambia time).

South Sudan’s Juba National Stadium has been ruled out as a venue for failing to meet the CAF requirements to host international matches.

Meanwhile the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) said its technical staff and players will regroup on 8th June to officially start its camp.

“The Belgian confirmed that several players are unavailable for this encounter due to different reasons. 

They include Noah Sonko, Saidy Janko, Yusupha Njie, Ebrima Darboe, Alasana Manneh, Steve Trawally and Abdoulie Sanyang.” 

The GFF added that Ali Sowe was a late withdrawal as he is to undergo a scheduled surgery.

However, there are debut call-ups for Jacob Mendy of Wrexham AFC and Swindon Town’s Saidou Khan.

The 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye, Modou Jobe and Lamin Sarr

Defenders: Omar Colley, James Gomez, Muhammed Sanneh, Dawda Ngum, Buba Sanneh, Ibou Touray and Jacob Mendy.

Midfielders: Hamza Barry, Sainey Njie, Ablie Jallow, Ebou Adams, Sulayman Marreh, Jesper Ceesay, Saidou Khan and Yankuba Minteh.

Forwards: Musa Barrow, Alieu Fadera, Ebrima Colley, Assan Ceesay and Muhammed Badamosi respectively.