Scorpions sharpen sting to shatter Syli Nationale dreams this time
Scorpions celebrate with travelling fans after reaching afcon quater-finals
The Gambia will face host nation Cameroon in the quarter-finals after edging past fellow West Africans Guinea at the Stade Ominisports de Bafoussam – their first taste outside coastal city of Limbe since the tournament began.
A Musa Barrow second half goal snatched another milestone win for The Gambia as they book their spot in the Last-Eight of the Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Yusupha Bobb slid in fellow Italy-based scorpion Barrow to shred past the Guinea defense brilliantly, and individually for the winning goal with 70th minutes on the clock.
Yusupha Bobb proving great defensive and offensive asset to Tom Saintfiet’s side
The match was foreshadowed by news of the late withdrawal of several names in the Gambian camp, reportedly falling ill after the team sheet had already been announced. Shortly before kickoff, a statement on The Gambia Football Federation social media accounts surprisingly read:
“ Ibou Touray just pulled out of the game. Together with Noah Sonko and Saidy Janko, all three have food poisoning and cannot play. In comes his place is Dawda Ngum for his first appearance for the tournament. Because it's a late withdrawal, it means Gambia has just used one of its five substitution.”
Dawda Ngum hasn’t seen a single minute of action before today’s late call to replace Saidy Janko
Tom Saintfiet called on AS Roma talent Ebrima Darboe and Dawda Ngum who had not played any major roles in their previous three matches. However, the enforced late decisions instantly yielded dividend especially in the opening-half when there was noticeable improved ball retention and creativity in the Gambian midfield, thus leading to a dominant first-period in which Guinea could have easily trailed in a couple of occasions.
Without their inspirational leader Naby Keita unavailable due to suspension, Guinea went all out after Barrow’s 70th minute goal looking aggressive but were unable to find an equalizer despite having the ball in the back of the net late on for offside. Both sides were reduced to 10-men including a heartbreaking end to Yusupha Njie’s afcon debut. He had been on the field for just 15 minutes for the scorpions. Musa Barrow’s winner turned out to be enough to seal destiny in the last 8 and deservedly earned him another CAF MoTM gong.
Musa Barrow is having an outstanding Cup of Nations
At the final whistle, Gambia substitutes ran on to the pitch to celebrate with the gallant players, while coach Tom Saintfiet was mobbed by his staff before dancing around in circles in front of the travelling Gambian fans. More ecstatic scenes erupted in Gambian streets with a jubilant population partying late into the night.
The customary post-game prayer circle rituals
The Gambia now journeys to another coastal city in the southeast, Douala, to face hosts Cameroon at the weekend looking to cause more upsets to African football’s established order, if any this year.