CAIRO — Gambia defeated Zambia 2-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Young Scorpions scored twice in the second half at the Haras el-Hodoud Stadium to secure their second victory of Group C.
Abdoulie Bojang’s charges have an unassailable lead which guarantees first place with a game to spare.
Cape Town City forward Kajally Drammeh fired the Young Scorpions in front midway through the second half before captain Alagie Saine wrapped up the result with a late penalty.
The West Africans dominated the match and created numerous chances in the first half to put the match beyond the Young Copper Bullets.
Abdoulie Bojang kept faith with the same team that started against Tunisia in their first match of the group. Slavia Prague winger Ebrima Singhateh had most of the chances for Gambia but the youngster couldn’t convert.
The former Real de Banjul protege was presented with the first opportunity of the match inside three minutes when he collected a loose ball outside the Zambian box only for his effort to be blocked for a corner.
The lively Singhateh came close twice but his efforts lacked purpose to beat the Zambian keeper Jeban Tembo.
The Young Copper Bullets started the second half better with Derrick Bulaya forcing a save from Pa Ebou Dampha in the Scorpions goal.
The Gambia made a double change bringing in Modou Marong and Muhamed Sawaneh for Ebrima Singhateh and Real de Banjul’s Alieu Gibba.
The duo helped the Young Scorpions going forward with Marong partnering Adama Bojang in attack while Muhamed Sawaneh slotted in the three man midfield.
Gambia scored the opener after 63 minutes through Cape Town City star Kajally Drammeh’s close range tap in.
Modou Marong headed forward a long ball from goalkeeper Pa Ebou Dampha behind the Zambia defense which allowed Adama Bojang to race through and the Steve Biko forward had a touch to set Drammeh for the breakthrough goal.
Gambia continued to enjoy possession and got their second goal from the penalty when Marong was brought down by Tembo.
Captain and Man of the Match for the second time Alagie Saine slotted home the spot kick sending Tembo the wrong way and firing the two-time bronze medalists to the quarter-finals with a game to spare.
Tunisia holds Benin in Group C
The Young Carthage Eagles of Tunisia held Benin to a goalless draw in Group C of the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The clash which was played at the Haras el-Hodoud Stadium in Alexandria saw the two teams battling to get their campaign back on following their contrasting results in the first match day of the group.
Tunisia lost to The Gambia 1-0 in their opening fixture while Benin gave away a 2-1 lead to draw against the Young Copper Bullets of Zambia.
The match was close in the middle with few real goal scoring chances for either team.
The Young Cheetahs of Benin enjoyed possession in the opening exchanges with Rodolfo Aloko and Olatoundji Tessilimi their threats in attack.
Benin star Hassane Imourane saw his fierce drive from distance agonizingly missed the target on the half hour mark.
Tunisia had the best chance of the half five minutes before the break when Aziz Abid cut into the Benin box to curl his effort straight into the midriff of goalkeeper Rahman Karim.
The second half was an even contest as the two teams cancelled each other with no creativity in the final third.
Olatoundji Tessilimi had the best opportunity for Benin when he latched onto a loose ball outside the Tunisian area rounding the keeper but failed to hit the target with his effort cleared.
The two sides settled for a stalemate with Tunisia on one point while Benin picked up their second points of the group.
