The Gambia U-17 team that went to participate in the 7th edition of Pepsi Under 17 international football tournament played in Lagos, Nigeria, returned home victorious after winning the main trophy and four other individual accolades.

The Baby Scorpions, who finished the six-team tournament unbeaten in five matches, defeated Ghana's Liberty Professional 1-0 in the final to lift the coveted trophy. In the absent of talismanic striker, Ebrima Bojang, Samger's forward teenager, Buba Jallow, alias Meles, established himself as Gambia's goal machine during the week-long event, as he scored in almost every match including the Gambia's only goal in final. The diminutive striker finished as tournament's leading goal, having smashed six goals in five matches.

Gambia's crafted winger, Saihou Gassama, was also named as the tournament's Most Valuable Player. The Gambians, who are the current African U-17 champions, were banging on the Nigeria event to perfect their strategy for the FIFA U-17 World Cup and put their players in top shape for the hostilities in Calabar against Iran, Columbia and the Netherlands in Group C.

Seedy Kinteh, the president of the Gambia Football Association, told Observer Sports that the Gambian team did an exceptional job, adding that he was very impressed with what the lads displayed in Nigeria.