Gambia secures ticket to AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire

PARIS — Gambia came back from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw with Congo in Morocco and book its place at next year’s to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in Cote d’Ivoire.

Needing just a point to secure their place in next year’s continental showpiece, the Scorpions had to come back from two goals down to salvage a draw and go through to their second AFCON in history.

With Mali having already wrapped up their qualifiers campaign, it was left to the two sides to determine who would be the second team from Group G to make it through.

Unexpectedly so, Congo found the opener in the 34^th minute after a quick break in transition saw Prestige Mboungou send a delightful cross to the near post that found Gaius Makouta, who did well to shield the ball from his marker and toe-poke the ball into the net.

The goal seemed to put the Gambian defense in disarray as they struggled to keep possession from the onrushing Congolese attack.

With just minutes to the break, Congo doubled their lead to the disbelief of Gambia when their skipper, Omar Colley handled the ball in the penalty area for the referee to point to the spot kick, as Silvere M’boussy stepped up to extend the lead.

Coming back from the break, the Scorpions tried to get back into the game with most of their attacks being orchestrated by the trio of Ebrima Colley, Assan Ceesay and Musa Barrow.

Beni Makouana could have put the match beyond reach after a well-threaded ball saw the midfielder through on goal as he did well to go around the keeper, but his right footed strike came off the upright in the 54^th minute.

Congo remained resolute for the better part of the second stanza, but their defense was eventually breached in the 79^th minute when Yankuba Minteh pulled one back to instill hope in his side after an assist from substitute, Muhammed Badamosi.

With time not on their side, a goal was just enough for the Scorpions to scrape through, and they did just that in the 90^th minute thanks to Badamosi again who rose above his markers to head into the bottom corner from a Musa Barrow cross.

The result sees Gambia secure a place in Cote d’Ivoire along with Mali, while Congo and South Sudan miss out.

Elsewhere, Guinea-Bissau concluded their Group A campaign with a 2-1 victory over Sierra Leone at the Stade du 24 Septembre in Bissau to put the icing on the cake on their qualification to next year’s continental showpiece.

With a fourth AFCON qualification already sealed, Guinea-Bissau were up against a spirited Sierra Leone side that was looking at spoiling their celebration.

The visitors broke the deadlock as early as the 6^th minute when Ahmadou Bakayoko was at the end of a superb team effort to make it 1-0 to the joy of the travelling fans.

The early wake-up call meant the hosts had to re-adjust their game plan to bring the game back under control.

Nito Gomes did exactly that in the 35^th minute to level matters ahead of the break to the relief of the home supporters who had their mood dampened by the early shock.

Coming back from the break, The Djurtus continued from where they left off, putting their visitors under immense pressure which resulted in a goal in the 48^th minute thanks to a wonderful strike by Franculino Dju who put his side ahead.

Sierra Leone would not be hard done by the early second half goal and quickly adjusted their focus, launching more attacks and build-up plays but could not really break the last line of defense.

The fixture ended with a good result for Guinea-Bissau who finish second in the group behind the Super Eagles of Nigeria.