No Sting in the Tail but The Pride will last for a Lifetime!
Gambian full-back Saidy Janko (red) closing down Cameroonian opponent. (Photo by CAF website)
Cameroon will face either Egypt or Morocco after outclassing The Gambia in the first quarterfinal of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Douala.
The quarter-finals proved a bridge too far for the Scorpions of The Gambia as their usual low block, high intensity defending from the back came unstuck. They largely held their own in a first half of intense indomitable lions pressure but minimal clear-cut chances except for a blind Baboucarr Gaye save on the tournament’s leading marksman Vincent Aboubakar.
Pa Modou Jagne and Ibou Touray were walking on tied ropes for the rest of the game following two first half yellow cards.
However, things dramatically unraveled shortly after the break. It took miracles for Tom Saintfiet to get Gambia this far, was going to take more miracles to recover from two early second half goals.
Damage was done in the space of 7 minutes after the restart with two great goals by the Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi.
A change of game plan immediately ensued by bringing on Modou Barrow, Ebrima Colley and Ebrima Darboe. Cameroon didn’t sit to absorb the pressure even after leading comfortably with keeper Andre Onana largely being a spectator until the 67th minute when Saul Marr tried to feed Modou Barrow but his weak effort near touchline was easily gathered by the Ajax man.
Ebrima Colley forced the single corner of the game for the scorpions in the 70th minute. The duo Barrow and Colley added a bit of pace up front but still struggled to create anything meaningful against the hosts.
Musa Barrow had a frustrating afternoon with little opportunities to stamp his magic. Buba Jobe and Assan Ceesay came on for a late cameo. Aboubacar came close late on for a glorious chance to have a final word, but he blazed his shot over the bar.
Totally outclassed on the day but the pride of reaching the last 8 in Africa will last for a lifetime for the Gambia and the nation will be hoping to become a permanent fixture at the Africa Cup of Nations beginning in March, when they begin another preliminary qualifier for the next edition. Whether that happens soon again or not, this team has left lifetime memories and a legacy for generations to enjoy.
It is also hoped that continental Europe and elsewhere would have taken note of the giant progress of the Gambian side as they aim to further infiltrate major leagues around the world.
After back-to-back games against debutants, Cameroon is now set for a semifinal against a higher pedigree North African side in the form of either Egypt or Morocco.