The Gambia have received a major boost ahead of their CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying double-header against Côte d’Ivoire, with Musa Barrow and Yankuba Minteh returning to Johnathan McKinstry’s 25-man squad.
The Brighton winger and Al Khaleej forward missed the opening qualifiers against Somalia and Ghana through injury but have recovered ahead of the Group C encounters on 12 and 17 November.
The Scorpions made a perfect start to their campaign, beating Somalia 2-1 before securing an impressive 4-2 away victory over Ghana to collect six points, level with Côte d’Ivoire.
McKinstry welcomed the return of the attacking duo, revealing that both are fit, although Barrow has more match fitness than Minteh.
The coach also highlighted their importance since his appointment in 2024, noting that the pair have scored around 15 or 16 goals between them for the national team.
Captain Omar Colley, Ebou Adams, Mohamed Badamosi, Ebrima Colley and Abdoulie Ceesay retain their places, while Sheriff Sinyan, Alasana Manneh and Jesper Ceesay also return. Slovan Bratislava winger Suleiman Camara is included despite a recent injury concern. However, Alieu Fadera and Adama Sidibeh miss out through injury, while James Gomez is absent from the squad.
The Gambia travel to Bouaké for the first encounter before hosting the Elephants at the Independence Stadium in Bakau five days later.
McKinstry expects two difficult matches but believes his side can compete with the reigning African heavyweights, pointing to their progress over the past two years.
He acknowledged Côte d’Ivoire’s pace, attacking combinations and squad depth but insisted The Gambia also have opportunities to exploit their opponents.
With both nations winning their opening two qualifiers, the double-header could prove decisive in the race for top spot in Group C.
The Gambia squad for Côte d’Ivoire
Goalkeepers: Baboucarr Gaye (Shkëndija, North Macedonia), Ebrima Jarju (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia) Sheikh Sibi (Virtus Verona, Italy)
Defenders: Omar Colley (Al-Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Sheriff Sinyan (Rapid București, Romania), Yaya Bojang (Alverca, Portugal), Alagie Saine (AC Horsens, Denmark)
Joseph Colley (KF Tirana, Albania), Ibou Touray (Bradford City, England), Sainey Sanyang (Botev Vratsa, Bulgaria), Joseph Ceesay (Empoli, Italy)
Midfielders: Ebou Adams (Portsmouth, England), Abubakarr Barry (RB Salzburg, Austria), Mahmudu Bajo (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Alasana Manneh (Kolding IF, Denmark), Jesper Ceesay (Antalyaspor, Türkiye), Karamba Gassama (Gaziantep, Türkiye)
Forwards: Suleiman Camara (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), Ebrima Colley (Konyaspor, Türkiye), Abdoulie Sanyang (Hajduk Split, Croatia), Yankuba Minteh (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Musa Barrow (Al Khaleej, Saudi Arabia), Abdoulie Ceesay (St Pauli, Germany), Mohamed Badamosi (Riga FC, Latvia)
Adama Bojang (Charleroi, Belgium)
