Debutants, Gambia recorded their first-ever victory in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, defeating Mauritania 1-0 at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium courtesy of Ablie Jallow’s stunning first-half strike.
The ‘Scorpions’ certainly made their sting felt as Jallow showed composure on the edge of the area, unleashing a venomous strike into the top corner past Babacar Diop after just ten minutes into the game.
The tournament debutants then defended resolutely for the remainder of the first half, preventing Mauritania from getting any clear sights of goal and they went in ahead at the break.
Tom Saintfiet’s side looked like the stronger team for the vast majority of the game in their first ever game at a major tournament, either an African Cup of Nations or a World Cup.
Mauritania remain without a victory at the AFCON, in a drab run spanning four matches over their first-ever back-to-back AFCON appearances.
Gambia’s next game is against Mali in Limbe on Sunday, followed by Mauritania against Tunisia in the same stadium.
MOLATsportgist 