Gambia continued to create history on Thursday, defeating Tunisia 1-0 in a thrilling Group F match in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade Municipal de Limbe.
Gambia finished second in Group F, but tied on points with Mali, who defeated Mauritania 2-0 in Douala.
The game had it all: a penalty miss, a red card, and a late dramatic victory by Ablie Jallow.
Both clubs were seeking for vital points to secure their last Group F position and a spot in the competition’s knockout round.
During the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals football match between Gambia and Tunisia, Musa Barrow of Gambia was challenged by Montassar Omar Talbi of Tunisia.
The Carthage Eagles pushed for an early lead, creating opportunities in the first quarter.
At the half hour mark Tunisia had 6 attempts with no shots on target. The likes of Anis Ben Slimane, Hamza Rafia and Seifeddine Jaziri were in thick of things in attack for Tunisia but couldn’t find any real openings in the Gambia defense line.
The North African’s first attempt on target finally came from the spot with Seifeddine Jaziri drawing a foul in the penalty area. Modou Jagne the culprit committing the foul on Jaziri. However, the opportunity was squandered as Gambia Keeper Baboucarr Gaye stopped Jaziri’s penalty just before the halftime interval.
Disaster struck for Tunisia when their reserve keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha saw red for violent conduct and was dismissed from the bench.
This meant he will miss two games. It was 0-0 at the end of the first 45 minutes.
Hamza Rafia of Tunisia challenged by Noah Sonko Sundberg of Gambia during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals football match between Gambia and Tunisia
Ben Slimane was the most dangerous player for Tunisian team and came close with an attempt at the beginning of the second half but saw his shot deflected wide for a corner.
On Gambia’s side it was Musa Barrow who looked more likely to get a goal for the Scorpions. A sting in the tail was what many Gambians were craving at this point. That nearly came to fruition as Barrow’s stinging shot rattled the crossbar sending shivers in the Tunisia camp.
Ablie Jallow struck in stoppage time to give Gambia valuable three points and second spot in Group F.