Gambia edged Guinea 1-0 in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations last 16 clash at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam on Monday afternoon.
The Scorpions clinched a place in the last eight against either Cameroon or Comoros thanks to Musa Barrow’s strike 19 minutes into the second stanza.
The first half proved to be a rather dour, lackluster affair and on Gambia’s part, despite enjoying plenty of ball possession, there was a disappointing amount of end product in and around the opposition box.
It was Guinea who enjoyed the first shot in anger in the game when Aguibou Camara got behind a long range shot, a belter of an effort flying inches over James Gomez’s crossbar in the 13th minute.
Gambia improved as the match progressed, but they squandered a good scoring opportunity when an unmarked Musa Barrow opted to pass the ball which was cleared away rather than shoot at goal from inside the box.
Guinea had another first chance on the 38th minute when Amadou Diawara, again playing at right-back, lobbed a long throw into the box. The ball was well met by Mohamed Bayo, although the striker’s right footed shot from the centre of the box was brilliantly saved by Gambia keeper James Gomez.
Musa Barrow also fired in a shot from range in the 40th minute which flew wide of the mark, before Ebrima Darboe left footed shot from the left side of the box missed to the right.That proved to be the last goalmouth action from either team in the first half.
Following the restart, the game opened up nicely – as the Scorpions came out and tried to get on the front foot, Guinea also had moments when they looked a threat on the counter.
Still though chances remained at a premium, until the 54th minute that is, when Ilaix Moriba’s square ball found José Kanté in the box, but the midfielder lost his cool and skied the ball into the stands.
Guinea started becoming flat in the attack and Gambia a deservedly took the lead through Musa Barrow on the 71st minute when he connected Yusupha Bobb pass before sending a left foot shot into the back of the net.
The Syli Nationale were to restore parity in the 80th minute as Mohamed Bayo powered a left footed shot from an out-swinger by Ibrahima Cissé.
Gambia’s hopes of extending their lead suffered a setback when Yusupha Njie was sent off in the 86th minute after collecting a second yellow card.
Ibrahima Conte should have given Guinea an equalizer in the dying minutes of the match but he hit the crossbar before being sent off for bad-mouthing.
How they lined-up:
Guinea: Aly Keita – Ibrahim Conte, Saidou Sow, Mohamed Aly Camara, Pa Konate – Amadou Diawara, Ibrahima Cisse, Mohamed Bayo (Sory Kaba 83) – Jose Kante, Aguibou Camara (Morlaye Sylla 76), Ilaix Moriba.
Gambia: James Gomez – Boubacarr Gaye, Omar Colley, Sulayman Marreh, Saidy Janko – Ibou Touray, Yusupha Bobb, Ablie Jallow (Ebrima Colley 63) – Ebrima Darboe (Yusupha Njie73), Musa Barrow, Modou Barrow (Assan Ceesay 72)
