The Gambia’s U-17 national team is set to face Liberia today in a pivotal match of the WAFU A qualifiers at Stade Lat Dior in Thies.

This encounter follows a disappointing start for the young Gambian squad, who fell to Senegal in their opening match with a scoreline of 3-1.

The defeat has placed additional pressure on Coach Yahya Manneh and his players, who are now eager to secure a vital victory against Liberia.

With the semi-final stage of the tournament within reach, the team understands the significance of this match in their quest for qualification.

“The loss to Senegal was tough, but we have learned from it. Our focus now is to regroup and perform to the best of our abilities against Liberia,” Coach Manneh said in a pre-match press conference.

“We need these three points to keep our hopes alive in the tournament.”

The young Gambians have been training intensively, working on both their defensive strategies and offensive plays to enhance their performance.

Liberia, on the other hand, comes into the match with their own aspirations, looking to capitalize on the Gambian team’s vulnerabilities following their previous defeat.

Both teams are aware that the stakes are high, as only the top teams will advance in the tournament.

As the kickoff approaches, the atmosphere at Stade Lat Dior is expected to be electric, with fans from both nations turning out to support their teams.

The Gambia U-17 squad will be counting on their supporters to lift their spirits as they aim to bounce back and keep their dreams of progressing alive.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba