Gambia handed tough task in intriguing AAG draw

The Gambia men volleyball team are handed a tough task in their first ever appearance in the men indoor All Africa Games. The Gambia are up against five-time champions Egypt, while they are also up against 2011 host Mozambique and the 2015 hosts Congo Brazzaville, the other opponents will be Botswana and Nigeria  in pool A of the 11^th edition of All Africa Games 2015 in Congo Brazzaville. The Gambia claimed silver in Zone 2 qualifiers in Cape Verde from a pool that comprises of Senegal, Mali, Mauritania and Sierra Leone.

The Gambia would surely be the dark horses in the pool and will be looking for their first continental silverware. The enthusiasm of the Gambian team emerged from the re-energized Gambian national federation that recently changes leadership. The Gambia ranked 2^nd in Zone II has recently organized two coaching courses level I and level II to enhance the capabilities of the technicians and that has proved productive in the country’s recent exploits in Zone II.  The head coach of the Gambian team Ebrima Nyassi reacted to the draw saying they would come all out to make upset.

‘’ We are going to play against diverse nations with different styles of modern volleyball, so we have to prepare expansively. There is no need to explain that we will be competing against teams from the best volleyball nations in Africa. I am pleased that we will get to know all the renowned style and background of African volleyball. Nyassi said’’ he went on to dismissed Egypt’s dominance in the Games. ‘’ we respect Egypt for the fact that they are one of the most decorated team in the Games history but we can make upset’’.

Senior player Sanu Secka believed that this is an opportunity for the Gambia to be known in global volleyball. ‘’ we work hard to booked qualifications, now we are in Congo and the target is the gold medal’’ the attacker said. 

All Africa Games will be hosted by Congo Brazzaville September 4 to 19, 2015 where the 12 teams of each category will be divided into 2 preliminary pools, each playing a round robin and the top 2 teams qualify to the semifinal. The winner of Pool A meets the second of Pool B and the winner of Pool B faces the second of Pool A in the semis where the winners qualify to the final and the losers play for the bronze medal. The preliminary rounds for the All Africa Games will be played in two groups constituted as follows;-

Pool A

1. Congo Brazzaville

2. Mozambique

3. Egypt

4. Gambia

5. Nigeria

6. Botswana

Pool B.

1. Cameroon

2. Cape Verde

3. Algeria

4. Rwanda

5. Seychelles

6. Ghana

The Gambia is also through to the beach volleyball finals and waits to know her faith in the groupings.