By Sulayman Bah
Gambia has been handed a herculean task after landing in Pool A of the
All Africa Games (AAG) volleyball competition.
In what will be the country’s debut in volleyball in the continental
Games, Gambia got seeded in group A comprising quintet-time winnersEgypt and Nigeria. Completing the pool is Bostwana, Mozambique and
hosts Congo-Brazerville.
Making a first-time appearance in the eleventh edition of the Games in
volleyball, Gambia are considered pool A’s underdogs. Team gaffer
EbrimaNyassi is however buoyed of pulling off shockers.
‘We are going to play against diverse nations with different styles
of modern volleyball. So, we have to prepare expansively,’ Nyassi said
after the draw. On getting pitted against 4-time cup
holders –Egypt – he states, ‘we respect Egypt for the fact that they
are one of the most decorated teams in the Games history but we can
make (an) upset.’
Gambian captain Sanu Secka was more bullish on his team’s chances.
‘We work hard to book our qualification. Now we are in Congo and the
target is the gold medal’ he says brimming with confidence.
Gambia secured a spot in the Congo finals after clutching silver in
the Zone II qualifiers from a pool making up Senegal, Mali, Mauritania
and Sierra Leone.
The Games runs from September 4 to 19, 2015.
]]>
