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Gambia News: Gambia’s Badjie Optimistic About Future

By Ibrahim Dabo,

Sweden-based Gambia striker Ismaila Badjie is positive ahead of Saturday’s league match against Strömtorp IK in the Division III. He talks exclusively to Goal.com about his career and plans.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Karlslund IF HFK, has made an impression with the club this season and has scored seven league goals for them.

The attacking-midfielder, who can play on both left and right side of midfield, is looking forward to a win on Saturday following last week’s 2-1 defeat against arch-rivals Orebro SK Ungdom.

“We are going out with the same offensive mentality, although it’s an away match, but we know that we have the quality and potential to win any opponent in the league,” says a confident Badjie.

“It’s going to be a difficult test but I think we will come home with the three points.”  

Karlslund are challenging for the league title and Badjie hopes he can help them gain promotion to the next tier.

“I am hoping to win the league with my team,” says Badjie. “And it’s very important for us and the supporters because we are moving from our stadium Ornsro to another new one which is being built at the moment.”  

Karlslund will play a semi-final match against IFK Kumla in a district cup called the Folksam Cup on Monday.  

“We beat them (IFK Kumla) 2-0 away in the first round and I scored the first goal of the game and got the prize for man-of-the-match and then we beat the 4-0 at home,” recalls Badjie.  

“I think we have a big chance of winning the tournament this year.”

Having played in Sweden since 2004, Badjie is now looking forward to a new challenge in his career. He however failed to make any speculations but will surely like to play football at a high level.

“Well I am not making it (my plans) public but its of course every player’s dream to play in a better league and at a higher level, so I am listening to offers and options," says Badjie.

“But who knows, I may stay here too, cause its a very wonderful atmosphere to be and the coach (Rickard Nilsson) is a good one. You can only improve working with him,” the player added.  

Badjie is yet to play for his country, Gambia, and firmly believing it is an honor to put on the national gears, says his options are open for a call-up.

“Its a dream of any player to wear the national colors and represent your nation, so i will love to represent Gambia if the call arises,” says Badjie.  

“I almost had a call-up cause I got a phone call sometime last year from the director of the Gambian Football Association who wanted me to go for the preparation of a Nations Cup qualifier against Cape Verde in Gambia then.

"But then plans collapsed because things were not well planned. However, I am open to and willing to show up if the need arise anytime.”  

Gambia are yet to make an appearance in the African Nations Cup and are already out of the race for the 2008 finals in Ghana.