10-man Gambia stun Nigeria …meet Senegal in U-20 Africa Nations Cup finale

Ghanaian Times

Wed 08th Mar, 2023 09:25

Ten-man Gambia sealed their placed in the final of the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Na­tions on Monday night after beating giants Nigeria 1-0 in Cairo.

The Young Scorpions talisman, Adama Bojang, scored the lone goal which secured Gambia their historic qualification to the final.

The Baby Scorpions held on to secure their slim victory despite defender Haruna Njie received his marching orders in the 90th minute for a second yellow card of the semifinal clash.

Gambia will face their neigh­bours, Senegal, in the final on Saturday at the Cairo International Stadium.

Senegal also reached the final af­ter Lamine Camara scored a double to help them to defeat Tunisia 3-0 in Ismailia on Monday.

Two goals from new FC Metz recruit, Camara and a sumptuous strike by Pape Diop was enough to send Senegal to their AFCON Under-20 final.

The Anglophone derby lived up to its billing in the Egyptian capital as Nigeria look to secure their place in yet another final, while Gambia hope for a maiden showing in the final.

Gambia scored against the run of play when Ebrima Singhateh blocked a misplaced pass towards the path of Adama Bojang, who slotted past the helpless Chijioke Aniagboso after seven minutes.

Abdoulie Bojang’s Young Scorpions held on to go into the break with the narrow lead against the Flying Eagles who dominated possession, but couldn’t find a way past the solid defense.

Goalkeeper, Pa Ebou Dampha, who was named TotalEnergies Man of the Match, played a key role in the historic victory for The Gambians.

The WAA Banjul FC custodi­an was dominant inside his area, winning all aerial balls against the Flying Eagles.

The busy goalkeeper conced­ed a penalty five minutes from time when his challenge impeded Ahmed Abdullahi.

Abdullahi missed the spot kick as it came off the post and the Young Scorpions survived to sail through to their first ever TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Gambia ended the match at ten following the dismissal of Haruna Rasid Njie in the 89th minute for an unsportsmanlike gesture.

Twice bronze medallist (2007 and 2021), Gambia, is already do­ing better by qualifying for the final and will face its neighbour Senegal to try to win the gold medal for the first time.

Gambia played the last minutes of the match with ten men follow­ing Rashid Njie’s second booking.

The Baby Scorpions will face Malick Daf’s Senegal in what will be the repeat of the WAFU-A qualifying tournament in Maurita­nia, which Senegal won courtesy of Samba Diallo’s diving header.

The 2023 TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations is Gambia’s fourth participation, and they have qualified to the semifinals in three of the four tournaments. —Cafonline

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