Gambia kicked off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Chad at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Cameroon on Wednesday evening.
The winner was scored by Ajman’s striker Bubacarr Trawally in the 89th minute.
The Scorpions started off well in the opening exchanges with the both Ebrima Colley and Musa Barrow testing Allambatna Gabin from distance.
Ndouasse Ezechiel should have opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, as he failed to beat Baboucarr Gaye from close range after being played in by Casimir Ninga.
Barrow came close to breaking the deadlock for the Scorpions just before the half-hour mark after latching onto a cross unmarked on the far-side of the box but he blasted his volley straight at Gabin from point-blank range.
Gambia continued to put Mahamat Abakar’s men under pressure and Ebrima Darboe squandered a chance his own just by curling an effort over the crossbar after being played in by Ibou Touray in the box.
The game opened up in the early stages of the second stanza and Musa Barrow had a big chance for the Scorpions ten minutes in after going clear on goal from a mistake by Chad at the back but his tame shot past Gabin in a one-on-one was cleared away by Mbaigolmem Aubin.
The Saos were also threatening, as Mahmat Rabbo came close to breaking the deadlock in the 67th minute with a diving header in the box that crashed against the far post after a cross in the area.
Chad goalkeeper was called into action in the 77th minute, as he got down well to deny Noah Sonko from distance.
The Saos did manage to carve out a chance on the 82nd minute for Ninga Cassimir , but Gambia goalkeeper Gaye was on hand to make the save
Seven minutes later and they were made to pay for that miss, as Bubaccar Trawally tapped home from close range to give the Scorpions an important first-leg win.
