By Sulayman Bah
Albania-based Gambian footballer Ali Sowe considers qualifying in the Europa League a dream come true.
Albanian Super League giants Skenderbecu Korce reached the Europa League group stage proper after surviving a two-legged scare in the play-offs.
Skenderbecu Korce prevailed over Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on the grounds of away goal rule following a 1-1 draw in the first-leg before the return fixture ended goalless.
Sowe featured in both ties and is now the fifth Gambian footballer to have qualified for the Europa League after Tijan Jaiteh, Demba Savage, Macoumba Kandji and Pa Modou Jagne.
Sharing his thoughts on the milestone, the 23-year-old tells Foroyaa Sport from Albania: ‘I’m very, very happy to have made it to the group stages from (the) qualifiers.’
Ali is on a season-long loan deal with the Albanian outfit from Italian top flight club Chievo Verona.
The erstwhile Gamtel FC front-man had a number offers to join other Italian sides but chose his current club because of the prospect of playing in the Europa League.
‘It’s like a dream come true for me because it was the main reason (why) I accepted the offer and I’m so glad that I’ve achieved one of my goals,’ says Ali.
Clubs fielding in the tournament have their respective group opponents known and Skenderbecu Korce faces Serbian club Partizan, Young Boys of Switzerland and Dynamo Kyiv of Ukraine.
Over to Finland, Momodou Ceesay scored his fourth goal of the season in the Finnish Premier league as his PS Kemi club beat Lahti 1-0.
