Scorpions midfielder Hamza Barry has been left out of the squad for their upcoming matches against Madagascar due to an hamstring injury.

The Scorpions will play the Barea of Madagascar in a double legged Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers on October 11 and 14, 2024. 

“Hamza Barry unfortunately went for a scan on his hamstring yesterday. I spoke to him this morning and he’s not going to be in this match-day squad. Hamstring is not a great position and he needs to rest and recover,” head coach McKinstry announced during the unveiling of his squad Thursday at the Gambia Football Federation House.

Striker Alasana Jatta will also miss the matches as he is still recovering from a concussion. 

McKinstry expressed his desire to include Jatta but respected his decision to wait until he feels fully fit before returning to the team. This news comes as the team prepares for crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.  

McKinstry added: “Alasana Jatta is a player that we would like to have in this squad. However, there are a couple of things for Alasan, you have seen he’s been in and out of his team recently. He suffered a pretty heavy concussion a few weeks ago and he’s been out. Alasana and I had a conversion and he just feels he is not 100% and he would rather wait until he is 100% before he comes back. And we decided he is out.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba