January 26, 2022
The Gambia national team has booked their place in the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations as Musa Barrow’s goal gave the debutants a famous one zero win (1-0) Victory over Guinea.
Bologna forward Barrow collected a pass and slotted Aly Keita from the center of the box in the 71st minute. Defender Ibrahim Conteh had an equalizer ruled out for offside before the Gambia’s Yusupha Njie was sent off.
Guinea struck the post in injury time before another shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Baboucarr Gaye. It was a stunning save by the Gaye to keep out the powerful strike by Jose Kante, which came immediately after Conte had rattled the left-hand upright from a narrow-angle. Even then Guinea forward Morgan Guilavogui latched onto the rebound off and had his follow-up attempt blocked by Pa Modou Janine.
Kante header over from the resulting corner and the Scorpions, the lowest-ranked side at the tournament, held onto win as Guinea center-back Conte was also dismissed in injury time for a second booking. The Gambia, who is 150th in the World, will now face Cameroon in the last eight on Saturday after the host saw off Comoros.
The Gambia went unbeaten through the group stage, beating Mauritania and 2004 champions Tunisia, and Tom Saintfiet’s side pulled off another giant-killing in Bafoussam.
They had few clear-cut openings, with their best chance in the first half coming when Barrow stung the palms of Keita with a long-range strike.
The Scorpions were at times careless in possession, gifting Mohamed Bayo a sight at goal just after the half-hour mark, but the striker had his shot blocked by James Gomez before Gaye smothered Bayo’s follow-up.
In the second half, defender Omar Colley denied Guinea midfielder Ilaix Moriba with a well-timed challenge shortly after Kante had sent a header over.
Yusupha Bobb set up the winner with a fine pass to Barrow, but the debutants survived a nervy and frantic finale after substitute Njie was sent off with three minutes left following two harsh cautions.