Tom Saintfiet, head coach of The Gambia national team, is facing criticism for calling up players with no club in his 23-man squad to face South Sudan in AFCON qualifier on June 14 in Egypt.

One of the players in question is Buba Sanneh who now joined one of the local clubs after being out of club in Europe.

Meanwhile, some fans ripped into the Belgian national for failing to include key players like Steve Trawally, Noah Sonko, Ebrima Darboe, Abdoulie Sanyang, Yusupha Njie, Saidy Janko and Alasana Manneh.

According to the Gambia Football Federation, Tom Saintfiet said these players are unavailable due to different reasons.

One of the fans, who expressed dissatisfaction with the coach’s decision, said: “honestly anytime I see Dawda Ngum and Buba Sanneh’s name I get pissed off immediately, anyways good luck.”

Another also said “my problem with these whole Tom and his background staff is why calling players who have not been playing competitive matches and leaving those playing.

“Not like we hate those players without game time been call but what are you trying to tell here you can play week in week out an still miss on the selection but can be without a club for almost a year and still be call to play. Only in the Gambia you will see such scenario. God help us.”

Another fan added: “I can’t understand why he keeps on calling players without clubs.” 

“If players without clubs are been selected, then the future of our football is at stake. This the reason why Sarr and other players refused to play for The Gambia,” a fan added. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba