By John Egbokhan

Following Tuesday’s draws for the 2011 Africa Youth Championship in Libya, which pitched Nigeria in Group B alongside Cameroon, Ghana and Gambia, Coach of The Gambia U_20, Lamin Sarr, has said that he is not scared that his team have been drawn in what is widely regarded as a ‘Group of Death’..

SMOOTH CONTROL: Flying Eagles defender Muhammed Aliyu, one of the invited players ahead of Libya 2011 AYC

The Gambia open their campaign at the tournament against Cameroon on March 19 and Coach Sarr, while speaking with Observer, a Gambian newspaper said that he was not surprised with the outcome of the draws conducted in Tripoli.

“I was expecting anything in the draw and as far as I am concerned this is a normal draw and I am very satisfied with it. All the eight teams reached the finals on  merit  so  there is no

easy or difficult side. I am not scared of any team as far as football is concerned and we are going there to prove a point”, said coach Sarr, who added that his immediate target will be to take his tem to the last four.

“We just have to qualify for the semifinals if we hope to play at the World Cup in Colombia. I believe in my players ability to achieve this target”, said Sarr.

Ghana are the defending world and African champions after they made history by becoming the first-ever African side to win the tournament in Cairo, Egypt, two years ago. Nigeria have won the competition a record five times, Ghana are three-time winners and Cameroon have won the competition once (1995), were losing finalists twice (1993, 2009) and were third in 1999.

Host nation Libya head a relatively easier Group A that has Mali, Egypt and Lesotho. Libya are making their debut in the tournament, while Lesotho and The Gambia are appearing for the second time. The competition is for players under 20 years and the semi-finalists will represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia later in the year.