By Sulayman Bah
Sweden is set to participate in the European U-21 championship and
wants Modou Barrow to reject Gambia and play for them.
Barrow, a 22-year-old player contracted to English Premier League club Swansea City, was born in the Gambia but grew up in Sweden thus making him eligible to play for both countries at the international level.His eligibility to don the jersey of either sides has made the
youngster sought by both countries, as both the Gambina and Swedish
football federations tussle to win over the ex-Ostersunds FK forward.
GFF last week named Barrow as part of 21 invited foreign-based players
for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations opener qualifier against South
Africa which is scheduled for June 13th.
The West African country’s football prexy Lamin Kabba Bajo said at the
unveiling of the new coach of the Scorpions that the footballer has
agreed to play for his country of birth, hence his inclusion.
But Sweden’s U-21 coach Håkan Ericson is of the strong conviction that
the winger will turn down Gambia’s invitation, saying that Barrow
promised to commit his future to Sweden in a previous dialogue with
the Swansea City man.
Reached yesterday for clarification, the GFF refused to be drawn into
given any reply to Ericson’s comments.
Meanwhile since his inclusion as part of Gambia’s traveling contingent
to Johannesburg, the player or his representatives are yet to make a
statement. Barrow can play for either teams but must totally commit
to one at age 23.
Gambia has never qualified for the African cup of Nations and Barrow
is one of the players being counted on to break such a long standing
hoodoo.]]>
