By Sulayman Bah
Gambia yesterday grabbed an emphatic rare away victory over Angola on a 3-1 score in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a high.
The Scorpions were left stunned much like they’ve suffered two months ago when Angola slotted in an early opening goal.
Right-back Nginye Faye for Gambia had lost his marker as The Antelopes surged into the Gambian defense to send in a cross which they powered home past a stupefied Gambian goalkeeper Modou Jobe.
Just after five minutes, the Scorpions equalised via top scorer Assan Ceesay when returnee Modou Barrow had darted down the left flank to cross which the Zurich Gambian striker headed home for 1-1.
At this stage, a repeat of what transpired two months in Luanda in which Angola won 2-1 looked on the brink.
However, that episode wasn’t to reoccur at least by the condo shown by Gambia’s Scorpions. Modou Barrow latched the ball over the head of the Angolan goalkeeper as Assan Ceesay followed up to tap into an empty box to secure the visitors a rare 2-1 away win in the first-half.
Ablie Jallow could have secured Gambia’s third having been fed by new entrant Bubacarr Trawally but the Ajaccio wide-man unbelievably powered it over the crossbar.
Ebrima Sohna appeared to handle in the box but the referee wasn’t interested in Agnola’s resultant pleas for a penalty.
Angola kept pestering a retreating Gambia into a defensive formation and just when they began being completely domineering, Gambia stung back after defensive midfielder Sulayman Marreh dashed the visitors’ hope with a last-gasp goal to send the West Africans into a rambunctious celebrations.
The last time Gambia garnered an away win was July this year against Guinea Conakry and Morocco in test outings prior to that was in 2010 and 2011 in friendlies against Tunisia and Gabon respectively.
Up next for gaffer Tom Saintfiet is a home fixture with DR Congo at the Independence Stadium.
