Though the Gambia are having a good debut 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon, they are amongst the twelve least ranked countries in Africa, according to FIFA.
They will therefore begin their quest of coming through for the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, from the preliminary stage.
The draw for the twelve nations were made on Friday in Douala, Cameroon and the Scorpions who are ranked number 150th in the world will be up against Chad who are positioned number 180th.
What Gambia have achieved so far at the ongoing tournament is enough motivation for them to encounter Chad and enter the main groupings draw.
Head coach Tom Saintfiet’s charges finished level on seven points with Mali in Group F who beat them to the top spot by virtue of goal difference.
They progressed to the knockouts as the group’s second placed team and will face Guinea at kouekong Stadium on Monday, January 24.
In the other 2023 AFCON preliminary stage qualifiers, Sao Tome will play against Mauritius, Djibouti will face South Sudan.
While Lesotho and Seychelles, Eritrea and Botswana and then Somalia and Eswatini also have dates.
The above games will be played between March 21 and 29, 2022 and the six victorious teams will wait for the final group stage draw.
Preliminary Round of Qualifiers
Chad vs Gambia
Sao Tome vs Mauritius
Djibouti vs South Sudan
Lesotho vs Seychelles
Eritrea vs Botswana
Somalia vs Eswatini
This post was written by Bryan Aheebwa, initially published by football256.com and reproduced by kick442.com as an official partner media
