By Sulayman Bah
Modou Barrow, the first Gambian EPL player, has agreed to join the Scorpions, according to Gambia Football Federation (GFF).
News of Barrow’s acceptance to feature for his country of birth was disclosed by Football Federation boss Lamin Kabba Bajo at Savoy’s unveiling on Thursday.
The 22-year-old playing for Swansea City is eligible to play for adopted country Sweden and Gambia and has in the recent past refused to completely commit his allegiance to either side leaving his international future open.
Quotes had been attributed to the speedy forward making himself available for selection for Sweden’s U-21s with the latest claiming he’ll love to partner towering Zlatan Ibrahimovich in Sweden’s attack.
But Kabba yesterday claimed the ex- Ostersunds FK goal-poacher is among the country’s fresh batch of foreign-based players in contention to play South Africa. Barrow or his representatives are yet to make any public statement over the report.
If, as highly anticipated, the wing-wizard decides to turn up, he will be the second high profile professional footballer to make up Gambia’s squad after Middlesbrough Mustapha Carayol.
Already a list containing bios of twenty-one players have been compiled and sent invitations. Among them is lanky ex- HJK striker Macoumba Kanji trading his services in Saudi Arabia Pro League and defender Kristian Brix in the Norwegian top flight.
Pa Amat Dibba is one of the big names too. Mustapha Jarju and Tijan Jaiteh both without clubs have understandably not make the provisional roster. The list also gives 23-year-old goalkeeper Finnish-born Sam Jammeh and Saihou Jagne in the Swedish lower leagues call-ups.
Meanwhile 35-year-old Pa Dembo Touray has been offered a chance to return to the team fold.
Below is full list of invited players in the provisional team sheet.
Goalkeepers: Pa Dembo Touray (Santos FC, South Africa) Sam Jammeh (Ängebäck BK)
Defence: Bubacarr Sanneh (AC Horsens), Omar Colley (DIF), Ibou Omar Touray (Chester FC), Kristian Brix (Bodo Glmit) and Pa Modou Jagne (FC Sion).
Midfield: Ebrima Sohna (KuPS), Sulayman Marreh (Granada), Matarr Nyan (Tusker FC), Dawda Ngum (FC Höllviken), Demba Savage (HJK) and Hamza Barry (Valletta)
Attack: Modou Barrow (Swansea City), Mustapha Carayol (Middlesborough), Macoumba Kandji (Al-Faisaly Harmah), Abdoulie Ken Mansally (RSL), Omar Jagne (Dalkurd), Saihou Jagne (Ange IF), Pa Amat Dibba (GIF) and Assan Ceesay (Casa Sport).]]>