By Lamarana S. Jallow
The Gambia’s Scorpions got their 2023 AFCON qualifiers to a promising start with a narrow 1-0 win against the Bright Stars of South Sudan. Abdoulie Jallow’s goal on the stroke of half was enough to secure Tom Saintfiet’s side the three points in a tight contest at Stade Lat Dior in the Senegalese city of Thies.
Hundreds of Gambian fans travelled from Banjul to drum support for the Scorpions in their quest for a second consecutive qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations. Abdoulie Jallow gave The Gambia the lead with few minutes to the end of the first half. The diminutive midfielder teed up the ball past the rushing South Sudanese goalkeeper before running to celebrate in front of the home fans. His goal was the difference as the Scorpions held on to secure all three points.
The game was attended by the Gambia’s Sports minister Bakary Y. Badjie and his Senegalese counterpart Mattar Bah, who came to support the Scorpions.
The Gambian team had since left Senegal in the early hours of Sunday morning for Brazaville to face Congo in the second game of the qualifiers. Congo lost their opening game 4-0 against Mali in group G of the qualifying rounds for the 2023 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’ivoire.
