Debutants Gambia made history on Wednesday by winning their first match at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The Scorpions were 1-0 winners over neighbors Mauritania to record victory in their first Group F match played at Limbe Stadium, located in war-torn North-West region of the country.
Ablie Jallow rifled the ball into the roof of the net on 10th minutes after he was set free from outside the box by Musa Barrow, giving The Gambia their first win at the continental finals.
Gambia move joint top of the pool with Mali, who beat Tunisia 1-0 in a match that was marked by officiating controversies earlier on Monday.
The Scorpions match had to be delayed for 45 minutes as Tunisia officials protested over their match against Mali after referee ended the match early.
There were no clear cut chances in the Gambia game in the first five minutes, with both sides cancelling each other out in the middle.
In the ninth minute the Scorpions developed spark in the game, pushing forward with more purpose and intensity. Their efforts were rewarded when sent a thunderous shot from outside the box for the opener.
Aboubakar Camara had a great opportunity to net an equalizer for Mauritania moments later, but his header from point-blank range was once again denied by Modou Jobe.
In the 20th minute the game started getting lively, as Gambia had an attack of their own as Ebrima Colley close range shot went over the bar.
James Gomez should have doubled the lead after his shot hit went over the cross bar following a great attacking move from the edge of the box.
In the 42nd minute again Pape Bâ got a great opportunity after he was put through on goal with a cross. One-on-one with the keeper his glancing header did not have enough power to go past Jobe.
Gambia went into the halftime break with their one-goal lead, which was also largely down to Diop Babacar, who pulled off a couple key saves.
The second half proved to be poor from both sides, most notably Mourabitounes, who needed to find themselves an equaliser.
Mauritania started to hold onto the ball longer, as they looked to see out the remaining stages of the second half.
The Mourabitounes threw on Oumar Camara for the final ten minutes as they looked for a way back into the clash, but they were unable to bypass the Scorpions defence.
How they lined up:
Mauritania: Diop Babacar – Karamoko Souleymane, Abeid Aly, Fofana Gussouma, Moussa N’Diaye Almike, Mohamed Yaly, Abdallahi Mahmoud, Abdoulkader Thiam, El-Hassen Houeibib, Ba Papa Ibnou, Aboubakar Kamara
Gambia: Jobe Modou – Ablie Jallow, Omar Colley, Sulayman Marreh, Assan Ceesay , Musa Barrow, Gomez James, Pa Modou Jagne, Ebrima Colley , Ibou Touray, Ebrima Adams
