By Sulayman Bah
Striker Ousman Jallow has clarified his unavailability for the Scorpions’ game against Cameroon.
The 26-year-old has been lethal in front of goal for HJK, prompting suggestions that he could be in a position to be recalled to the national team against the Indomitable Lions.
However, the fans’ hope of seeing the former Latdior attacker back were dashed when news filtered out last Thursday that he would not lead the Scorpions’ front-line. His omission from the provisional 24-man player roster had not trigger an uproar but the reasons advanced as explanation did.
Raoul Savoy, Gambia’s new coach, told local media last week he met the forward in Helsinki over the possibility of enlisting him for the coming qualifier clash, but that he announced that for family reasons, he won’t be coming back for this game.
The comment stunned the ex-Brondby goal-poacher who decided to forward to local media his letter to the Scorpion coach over his unavailability to set the records straight.
In the one-page piece dated 6th August 2015, Jallow said his absence boils down to fitness level despite his consistent featuring for HJK.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both you and the GFF for the invitation to represent our beloved country (The Gambia) in the upcoming CAF Cup of Nations qualifiers and FIFA World cup qualifiers respectively.
“It’s always a dream to represent my country (The Gambia) to any level both locally and internationally. I’m very honor to be living that dream now. I’m proud to be a Gambian and i will always be a proud Gambian.
“It’s unfortunate that, i can’t come for this games that i have been privilege to be invited to represent our country (The Gambia). The reasons for my unavailability is due to this particular factors:
“1. I’m not yet 100% fit physically.
2. I’m still going under treatment for the career threaten injury that have stop me from playing football for 2 years 3 months, before i started this new contract with HJK HELSINKI in Finland.
3. i have played only 3 months professional football so far. Which i needed more than that amount of time for me to be completely fit physically.
“I think it will be very unfair to the Gambian loving fans and my national team mates if i can’t give out 100% performance physically in the playing field. I’m not the sort of player who will just go out there for the sake of collecting caps only. Whenever i go out in the field of play i always try to give out my best for both my clubs and national team. As you can notice that am not even playing at the moment regularly with my club (HJK HELSINKI) due to the nature of the injury that i was having. We are strictly following doctor’s advice till i recover fully.
“I will appreciate it a lot if i am been excuse from my national duties till further notice.
I will once more thank coach Savoy, the GFF and the Gambian public for the faith and trust you have in me. I will thank you guys for the continues support.
May ALLAH give us victory in all the remaining matches. Ameen.”
While Raoul Savoy will hope for a smooth sailing, this is the first-time the 41-year-old is involved in a controversy since taking up the Scorpions managerial helm.]]>
