Former Bologna forward on why The Gambia missed World Cup qualification
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 13.10.25. | 21:33
The Gambia will conclude their campaign with an away match against Seychelles on Tuesday, 14 October
The Gambia national football team captain, Musa Barrow, has opened up on why the team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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The Scorpions were in Group F alongside Kenya, Seychelles, the Ivory Coast, and Gabon, with the group leader guaranteed a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the Jonathan McKinstry-coached side are currently fourth on the group standings with 10 points, 13 points below group leaders Ivory Coast and with a match to play, they stand no chance of qualifying for the World Cup.
The team suffered a 3-4 loss to Gabon on Friday, 10 October at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, after which the former Bologna striker revealed the reason for their shortfall.
“We missed the fans. There are games that, if we played at home, the results would have been different. There are players in the team who have never played in front of our fans, and I believe that would have pushed them,” said Barrow.
On the Friday afternoon clash, the 26-year-old chose to focus on the positives drawn from the match.
“We are not happy with the result, but we can take lessons even as we try to improve. We were on top of them in the first leg, but unfortunately for today, we made mistakes that we were punished for,” he stated.
Barrow, who currently plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Taawoun, also took time to praise Gabon forward Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who scored four goals, describing him as a role model to upcoming players.
“He is so good and positive. I faced him also in the Saudi Pro League, and he was also good. His longevity is good for African football. Young players can learn from these kinds of players and take care of themselves,” he remarked.
The Gambia will conclude their campaign with an away match against Seychelles on Tuesday, 14 October at the Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius.
