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For its first participation in the African Cup of Nations, The Gambia clinched a convincing victory upon entering the competition by beating Mauritania (0-1).
The Gambia did not miss its debut in the African Cup of Nations, Wednesday January 12, once morest Mauritania, by winning (0-1) for the first match in its history in the continental competition.
The meeting had not started on the best auspices. After a 45-minute delay due to the chaotic end of the match between Tunisia and Mali, the players witnessed a surreal scene. For long minutes, the organizers were unable to broadcast the good Mauritanian anthem. After three attempts it was finally never played, while the Gambians were still able to hear their national song.
Despite this troubled start, the Gambia Scorpions put the turbo in from the start of the meeting. Tom Saintfiet’s players opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and Ablie Jallow made history for his country by scoring Gambia’s first goal at an African Cup. With a superb shot outside the area, he deceived the Mauritanian goalkeeper Diop Babacar.
Unable to return to the match, the Mauritanians never really worried their opponents. In the second half, the Scorpions even offered themselves other great opportunities. On a free kick, in the 51st, Omar Colley notably failed to make the break thanks to a pricked header which passed right next to the opposing goal. Six minutes later, his teammate Ebrima Colley managed to crochet, then to transplant in the axis, before seeing his strike go over the Mauritanian cage.
Thanks to this victory, Gambia leads Group F alongside Mali.
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