Gambia 1 -0 South Sudan: Bright stars minnows lose by only one

Gambia sweeps three points as visitors put up a brave show. (PC : South Sudan Football Association)

South Sudan, the rank outsiders expected to suffer a string of massacres in AFCON qualifying, managed what might be considered a moral victory losing their opening in Thies by just a lone goal.

Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinalists Gambia were still riding high on the wave of recent successes at their maiden continental finals as well as seeing off the threat of Chad in the preliminaries.

The Bright stars, with hardly any professionals in their ranks to boast of, suffered the Group G opening lost thanks to Ablie Jallow, who as so often of recent has been Gambia’s savior, striking right on the stroke of halftime.

For Gambia and coach Tom Saintfiet it was another far from impressive win and will hope for better performances as bigger tests await against Congo next before taking on African heavyweight Mali in the group’s other fixture.

More reporting to follow