Quarter-finalist in 2022 for its first participation in the African Cup of Nations, Gambia is dreaming of a new epic this year in Ivory Coast (January 13-February 11). But she almost didn’t compete. The last training scheduled for Tuesday on national soil was in fact disrupted, since the players, who demanded a bonus, decided not to show up.
Gambian Sports Minister Bakary Badjie later explained that the internationals were demanding a bonus of 38 million dalasis (around €500,000) for the entire group, to reward them for their qualification.
The players had already received €5,000 each for their participation in a training course in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of January, recalled the minister. The group had also waived a qualification bonus in exchange for diplomatic passports before the start of the competition. The minister then recognized his helplessness in the face of what he presented as “a common situation” in African football.
Gambian government forced to give in
This affair was traced back to the head of state, Adama Barrow, who was traveling abroad. “He gave instructions that we pay so that we stick to the plan, which is to go to Ivory Coast and do our best,” explained the Minister of Sports. “Sometimes, when you find yourself in a situation like this, which you can call blackmail, you give in in the interest of the country,” he noted.
But the unforeseen events continued because the plane which was to transport the selection to Ivory Coast had to turn around after nine minutes of flight due to a technical problem. The Gambia will kick off their competition on Monday against Senegal, the reigning champion.