2023-09-10 22:17:29
The Gambia qualified for the final phase of the African Cup of Nations on Sunday by drawing 2-2 once morest Congo in a match organized at the Grand Stade in Marrakech, despite the earthquake which caused more than 2,100 deaths. Two late goals from substitutes Yankuba Minteh and Muhammed Badamosi, with Congo leading 2-0, gave Gambia the point they needed to qualify. She finished second in her group behind Mali. This Group G meeting was relocated to Marrakech because Gambia does not have a stadium that meets international standards.
When the earthquake struck late Friday night, Gambian and Congolese players fled their hotel and slept in the open. The coaches of both teams, Belgians Tom Saintfiet (Gambia) and Paul Put (Congo), said their players had been traumatized, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) kept the match going.
The match was played in front of just a few dozen spectators, supporters of both teams who waved flags of their country. The powerful earthquake left more than 2,100 dead southwest of the tourist city of Marrakech. The final phase of the CAN will be played in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
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