AFCON-bound debutants Gambia fall to DR Congo

Scorpions of The Gambia

Group D of AFCON qualifying wrapped up in Kinshasa and Luanda on Monday evening as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola registered consolation victories over finalists Gambia and Gabon, respectively.

Gambia’s scorpions got into the match with news of a 5-year extension of Head Coach Tom Saintfiet’s contract by authorities, but he could not guide his AFCON-bound debutants to a final icing on the cake. They succumbed to a first half penalty conceded by captain on the day Omar Colley, who found himself a yard away from the DRC forward as he burst into the penalty box. A slight notch on the back from the Sampdoria man saw the Congolese player fell to the ground for a penalty to the home side.  It was duly dispatched by Kazadi Kasengu for 1-0 on the stroke of half-time.

A wholesale of substitutions in the second half with the introduction of Assan Ceesay, Musa Barrow, Mohammed Badamosi and others couldn’t salvage a point which would have ensured a top spot finish and a seeding at the draw for the finals. Game ended 1-0 at full-time. The following players were not available for the match.

PA MODOU JAGNE

The Captain travelled with the Team but had picked up physical problems from the last game. Officials confirmed his unavailability on Sunday after he marched out of training trying to train through the niggle.

NOAH SONKO SUNDBERG

He was left in Banjul after sustaining an injury last game which forced him out.

ABLIE JALLOW

Also did not travel as the player has health complications (not physical) and officials had initially agreed with his Club during negotiations leading to his subsequent release to not fly him to Congo.

The Scorpions’ defeat didn’t matter in the end as elsewhere, Gabon lost 2-0 away to Angola who finished bottom of the standings despite the win, seeing the Panthers bottle top spot to Gambia on goal difference/conceded.