Gambia U17 captain Omar Marong and winger Alieu Saine, both from the TMT Academy, have left Banjul for a month-long trial at Newcastle United, reports Chronicle Live.
Two young players from the TMT Academy in Gambia have headed to England. Omar Marong and Alieu Saine have arrived at Newcastle United for a month-long trial, according to Chronicle Live. They left Banjul International Airport to join the Premier League club.
The first is the captain of Gambia’s U17s; the second, a winger, was one of the stars of the WAFU A U17 tournament won by Gambia. The opportunity was arranged by Beyond Borders Agency, the same source says. The trial is first meant to let the two players show their talents in England.
Banjul-Newcastle, a one-way ticket for the trial
Gambian journalist Ebrima KB Sonko reported the departure of the two players: “The players left Banjul International Airport for England, where they are scheduled to undergo a month-long trial with Premier League side Newcastle United.” In other words, the two players have left Banjul International Airport for England, where they are due to undergo a month-long trial with the Premier League club.
For Marong, the trial concerns a player who wears the Gambia U17 armband. Saine arrives after the WAFU A U17 tournament won by Gambia, where the winger stood out as one of the stars of the competition. Two different profiles, one same starting point, the TMT Academy.
Newcastle beefs up its African network
At the same time, Newcastle has created a recruitment analyst (Africa) role and is looking to strengthen its recruitment department, according to Chronicle Live. The job advert states that the role involves overseeing and analysing potential players at several levels of African football, mainly by video.
Sporting director Ross Wilson is looking to develop the club’s recruitment, again according to the same source. Newcastle have had African stars in the past such as Papiss Cissé, Obafemi Martins, Lomana LuaLua, Demba Ba, Christian Atsu and Cheick Tioté.
One month to convince, with no promises
Nothing indicates for now that a contract will be offered at the end of the trial. The deadline is clear: one month to show their talents in England, at a club that is simultaneously structuring its recruitment cell focused on Africa.
For the TMT Academy, the operation places two of its players in a Premier League environment, via an arrangement with Beyond Borders Agency.