After WAFU, someone should take responsibility, writes Mindorr Mama

Following The Gambia's unceremonious exit from the WAFU Football Championships in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I indulge on you to allow me space to express my disdain and absolute disappointment at the performance, with particular emphasis on what the two Coaches said, both of whom, by the way, are excellent football brains.

But foremost, I join you in extending to your readership sincere best wishes on this most festive occasion of the feast of Tobaski...EID MUBARAK! Now, coming to the modus operandi of this piece, like all Gambian fans, I am disappointed on the outing but also outraged by the non commitment of the boys per both Coaches report.

As reported here in your esteemed medium, Coach Sarr lamented that the boys did not want to spend Tobaski in Nigeria, so they put up a lackluster performance at the detriment of 1.6 million people. My childhood friend, Coach Faye, said: 'player reaction was unsatisfactory.'

Going by what these Coaches said, and if they hold, none of these players are ever qualified to put on the national colors of our country, for they do not understand patriotism and loyalty to the Republic, and this is unacceptable. If these kids don't understand they are Gambian Ambassadors and the country expects them to put up a gallant outing every time they put on that Gambian jersey, they have no business suiting up in the RED WHITE BLUE WHITE AND GREEN.

Many, many years ago, when Gambian Football called Box Bar Stadium home and the likes of Alagie Njie Biri, Saihou Sar, Kebba Ceesay, Musa Njie, Alagie Nyan, Essa Faye, Star Jallow, Tony Joiner, Charlie Boy, Edakarr Bah, Salimon Nyassi, Saul Samba, Ebou Kah (EK) AC Conteh, Lamin Owens, Garba Touray, Bill Badjie, Ebrima Dubuois...just to name a few, with no incentives from the Government or Head of State viz-a-viz today; they poured every ounce of Gambian blood and sweat on that soccer field for the pride of our country, be it at home or in foreign soils, some of course were hostile territories, and Pap Saine, the Dean of Sports Journalism whom I had the honor of traveling with to cover away games many a times can allude to this fact.

If what the Coaches report holds a grain of salt, the team ought to go on national television and apologies for giving up on Motherland Dearest. Gambians are not known to be quitters, and yes they quit on us.

This WAFU outing was of great significance to the development and advancement of Gambian football, following our not so acceptable departure from the majors. This tournament would have been one that would have rejuvenated the fan base and by extension, the club level. The FA does have a task at hand here because if the reasons forwarded by the two Coaches hold, they need to mount an investigation and come back to the fans and the nation, apologise and take full responsibility for disgraceful outing. There are no excuses.

In 1983, The Gambian female basketball team, led by Mam Essa Gaye, spent Tobaski in Bamako and poured their hearts out for the country. So darling Scorpions, GET OVER IT! Playing for your country rarely comes across, it is an opportunity of PRIDE and LOYALTY to our Republic, and theses two tenets are owed the nation by every citizen. MBOLLO MOI DOLLEH!