Another masterful point as Afcon newbies Gambia march on

The Gambia pulled up yet another significant result in what is now quickly turning to be a fairytale first AFCON appearance after a penalty strike from Bologna star Musa Barrow secured a crucial 1-1 draw against highly fancied Mali.

Barrow’s precise 90th minute leveler kept the scorpions in sight of qualification to the round of 16 despite being ranked tournament outsiders.  

Forest Green Rovers midfielder Ebou Adams had earlier conceded a soft looking penalty decision that allowed the Malians to open the scoreline in the 75th minute following a torrid afternoon against a disciplined Gambian rearguard marshalled by hard grafters, Sulayman Marr and Yusupha Bobb.

However, the Malian goal could only spark a flurry of attacking substitutions in a late change in approach by coach Tom Saintfiet, throwing in Modou Barrow, Muhammed Badamosi and a lively Ebrima Colley who won the late penalty off Mali’s Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma to put a dent to one of the Group favourites hopes of a comfortable passage into the next round.

The scorpions again showed less interest in the possession statistics but should count themselves unlucky in the first half when two glorious set pieces both narrowly came off the post. The first one being an absolute rocket unleashed by Musa Barrow before Abdoulie Jallow curled a closer effort to the edge of the box.

Four points out of two games will likely be enough to send Gambia through regardless of the results in the last group game against the Cartage Eagles of Tunisia. A monumental feat for the Afcon newcomers.