Valuable victory for Gambia on Nations Cup debut

Section of Gambian fans in the Limbe Omnisport stadium

Belgium-based attacker Abdoulie Jallow earned Gambia their first ever victory at an African Cup of Nations as Tom Saintfiet’s side edged past fellow West African neighbours Mauritania in their delayed Group F encounter in Limbe.

Jallow met Musa Barrow’s well worked provider with 10 minutes on the clock to unleash a stunner from long range for the tournament debutants.

Tom Saintfiet sprung a surprisingly open lineup with only Sulayman Marr being the lone recognized midfielder from the start. James Gomez replaced Buba Sanneh who formed a main-stay partnership alongside Omar Colley during qualifiers. But as predicted the scorpion’s visible strength came from the flanks with Serie A duo Ebrima Colley and Musa Barrow impressing in attack.

Veteran Pa Modou Jagne and the contingent from the English League Two Ebou Adams and Ibou Touray barely went past the halfway line throughout, but managed to hold on at the back helping goalkeeper Modou Jobe maintain a morale-boosting clean sheet on opening day.

The victory means Gambia sit three points at the summit of Group F, alongside Mali who beat Tunisia earlier in a bizarrely controversial finish to the game - which had led to a 45-minute delay in the Mauritania v Gambia match.

More reporting to follow.