Raoul Savoy unveiled to local media as coach of the Gambia

Raoul Savoy

Former Central African Republic coach, Raoul Savoy, was unveiled to local media in Banjul on Thursday as The Gambia's new national team coach.

The 41 year old's immediate task will be to take charge of the Scorpions' matches in their forthcoming 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Swiss coach has extensive experience of working in Africa.

He previously managed both Ethiopia and Swaziland.

He also had stints in club football in Morocco, Cameroon and Algeria. He also coached in his native Switzerland.

Savoy takes up The Gambia's senior national team's coaching role which was left vacant after Peter Bonu Johnson's appointment was terminated.

Speaking to the country's media, Savoy said it was an honour to take up his new role as The Gambia's new coach.

"It's a big duty for me, and I can assure you I will do my best for the Gambian people who love their football so much."

The Gambia are back participating in the Nations Cup qualifiers having served a ban, after the Confederation of African Football found them guilty of age-cheating at junior national team level.

Savoy said he was impressed with the strides the Gambian Football Federation have taken to move forward, and said he hopes to build on their work.

"They've already done a very good job, so now I'm coming in to continue this job and reach their objectives."

The Gambia have been drawn in Group M of the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers along with South Africa, Cameroon and Mauritania.

Savoy's first competitive game in charge will be a trip away to South Africa in June in their first Nations Cup qualifier, with Middlesbrough's Mustapha Carayol and Swansea City's Modou Barrow expected to lead a new look Scorpions side.

Both have been named in a 21-man-squad which includes veteran goalkeeper Pa Dembo Touray of Santo FC in South Africa.

The scorpions will start assembling in Banjul on 1 June, and will then travel to Uganda for a training camp.

During their time in Kampala they are scheduled to play the Cranes in a friendly international.