By Amaechi Agbo
Liverpool superstar, Sadio Mane have bemoaned the elimination of The Gambia team from the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Cameroon declaring that he was hoping for a Senegambia final on Sunday.
Although the Lions of Terenga are through to the tournament’s semi-finals, Mane recalled that a final between Senegal and Gambia was his dream.
The former Southampton player spoke about The Gambia after his country beat Equatorial Guinea in Media mixed Zone.
” I am personally sad that The Gambia are out, I wanted a Senegambian final. Gambia have done well, I was watching their game against Cameroon and I was supporting them, Gambia is my second home,” said.
He also noted that the Gambia team played with fear and respect against host Cameroon in their quarter-final match and advised the team to be proud of their AFCON debut performance.
“I am not a coach but I think many things went wrong for them against Cameroon I can’t go in details sorry. My advice for The Gambian team?
“It Will be to Say, Well done be proud of yourself and have courage to play. Don’t be scared in football their is No big team or small team is 11 men vs 11 men l,” he was quoted.
The 2021 AFCON final will hold at the Olembe Stadium on Sunday, February 6, 2022
History Of Senegambia
Senegambia was a limited confederation that existed between 1982 to 89. It was made up of the sovereign countries of Senegal and The Gambia.
The two countries reached a merger agreement in November 1981, and the Senegambia confederation came into being three months later.
The terms of the agreement required Senegal and The Gambia to take the following steps towards the union: integrate their military and security forces; form an economic and monetary union; coordinate their foreign policies and communications; and establish confederal institutions.
The larger Senegal would dominate these institutions, controlling the confederal presidency and two-thirds of the seats in a confederal parliament.
Despite the merger, each country would maintain its independence. In July 1982 Senegal and The Gambia began implementing the agreement, and a Senegambian executive and legislature were established.
The Gambia’s growing concern over its autonomy, however, led to the dissolution of the confederation in 1989.
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