English Premier League (EPL) outfit Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh headlines The Gambia’s head coach Jonathan McKinstry’s final squad to face Harambee Stars and Ivory Coast.The Gambia will compete against the two nations in the upcoming international break as part of Group F’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.Two major updates from latest renovation works at Kasarani Stadium [VIDEO]The Northern Irish tactician had initially named a provisional squad but has since trimmed it to have the final 23 players whom he intends to use for the matches.In a press conference held on Thursday 13 March 2025 at the Football House in Kanifing’ and a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on the same day, the former Gor Mahia head coach balanced his team to include three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and eight forwards with Minteh being the high profile name of his squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773353##20-year-old Minteh has been impressive for Brighton this season since joining the club on a five-year contract from Newcastle United on 1 July 2024 for a reported fee of £30 million (approximately Ksh 4.2 billion).The former Feyenoord forward has scored six league goals so far for Brighton, including a brace against Chelsea on Friday, 14 February and will now be tasked with replicating the same form in national team colors.Gor Mahia head coach explains why he prefers playing with 5 defendersOther notable players in the team include former Bologna forward Musa Barrow, Norway-born defender Sheriff Sinyan who plies his trade with Romanian top tier side CFR Cluj, and Tanzanian side Azan FC forward Gibril Sillah.The Gambia will host Kenya on Thursday, 20 March at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abodjan, Ivory Coast from 2200 hrs.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773324##The West African nation opted to host the match in Ivory Coast as they do not have a Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved stadium.The team will also be away to Ivory Coast four days later and, therefore were cutting costs by having the two matches in the same country.Gambia Full SquadGoalkeepersEbrima Jarju, Sheikh Sibi, Musa Dibaga.DefendersOmar Colley, Omar Gaye, Lars Joseph Ceesay, Sheriff Sinyan, Dadi Dadou Gaye, Mamadou Lion Njie.MidfieldersSaikou Touray, Ebrima Adams, Abubakar Barry, Alassana Manneh, Mahmudu Bajo, Ebrima Darboe, Ablie Jallow.ForwardsMusa Barrow, Alieu Fadera, Gibril Sillah, Yankuba Minteh, Abdoulie Sanyang, Ali Sowe, Abdoulie Ceesay, Alassana Jaffa.
