LIMBE, Cameroon (Reuters) – Gambia substitute Ablie Jallow scored a shocking aim deep in stoppage time to earn his crew a shock 1-0 win over Tunisia on the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday and proceed the upset outcomes on the match.
His left-foot shot 4 minutes into added time flew into the highest nook to elevate the debutants as much as a powerful seven factors from their three group matches.
Gambia completed behind Mali in the Group F standings on aim distinction with Tunisia third on three.
Avoiding defeat by Tunisia meant Gambia won’t face a last-16 conflict in opposition to Nigeria, who will play the Tunisians.
Tunisia superior as one of the 4 greatest third-placed groups however had defender Mohammed Drager despatched off late in the sport and reserve goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha was additionally handed a pink card for his half in a touchline fracas because the groups went into the tunnel for halftime.
They had come into the sport with 10 gamers in isolation after returning constructive COVID-19 checks and in addition squandered a fourth successive penalty on the finals.
Tunisia had discovered it troublesome to interrupt down a nicely drilled Gambia defence however 5 minutes earlier than halftime Gambia skipper Pa Modou Jagne clipped the heels of striker Seifeddine Jaziri, who fell down dramatically and was awarded a penalty.
Jaziri received as much as take the kick however his highly effective strike was saved by Gambia goalkeeper Baboucar Gaye, successful solely his second cap.
Tunisia dominated possession however had uncommon photographs on course whereas Gambia received progressively extra bold.
Musa Barrow struck a strong cross in opposition to the crossbar — the third time he has completed that at this match — earlier than Jallow’s thunderbolt snatched victory with nearly the final kick of the sport.
“We are very proud, we had been very disciplined, it’s a tremendous end result to be beat Tunisia, end with seven factors and go to the second spherical. We couldn’t have wished for extra,” stated Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ed Osmond)
