Coach Osam Duodu Resigns

Bajul, Gambia -- Osam Duodu, head coach of the national U-17 side (Baby Scorpions) has terminated his agreement with The Gambia Football Association with effect from last Thursday 9th February, informed sources disclosed to Pointsports.

When contacted to shed light on the issue Coach Duodu said: “I do not want to go to the details of my resignation. I am going back to my home on Tuesday to aid my country for the forthcoming world cup in Germany 2006 and the 2008 African Cup of Nations that my country Ghana will host. I do not hold any grudge against anybody. I am proud that The Gambia secured a better position in the ranking of the U-17 world cup than Australia, Italy, Uruguay, Ghana, Qatar just to mention a few. I wish the new management of The Gambia Football Association well with special thanks and gratitude to President Jammeh who did a lot for the Baby Scorpions and for the development of Gambian football.”

According to Osam Duodu President Jammeh has helped the national U-17 team in many ways notably among these was the donation of a bus used by the team to get to football practices and other related engagements.

Coach Osam Duodu has been in the field of coaching for more than 40 years. In 1978 and 1982 Ghana (Black Stars) through him won the African Cup of Nations.

It could be recalled that it was on 1st June 2004 that Osam Duodu was assigned to train the Gambian national U-17 team.

During his tenure as coach the Baby Scorpions won in 2004, the 10th anniversary of July 22nd peace football tournament. In May 2005, the U-17 won the 6th African Cup of Nations in Banjul, and in September 2005 participated in the 11th finals of the U-17 world cup which was held in Peru.

His resignation, according to some football analysts, will deal a serious blow to Gambian football.