The Gambia finally sealed a place in the final of the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, dismissing the tournament’s most successful team, Nigeria, one-nil in Cairo.
The grand finale will therefore be a derby against neighbors Senegal, who defeated Tunisia courtesy a 3-0 scoreline in the other semi-final.
The game couldn’t have started better for Abdoulie Bojang’s men! At the 7th minute, Ebrima Singhateh flicked the ball with his head and Adama Bojang was quicker than the opposing central defender to pounce, and root goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso to score a goal full of composure, which turned out to be his 4th of the tournament.
Nigeria rallied and dominated chunks of the game with more than 61% possession and 21 shots attempted ( 4 on target) against 3 for their opponents, but the Flying Equals lacked the golden touch.
The VAR was called to action in the 85th minute after an intensed sequence of play. The referee whistled a penalty after a foul by goalkeeper Pa Ebou Dampha, who had caught Abdullahi’s foot with his hand.
The KAA Gent striker wanted to do himself justice, by taking the resulting spot-kick but he hit the post.
The Gambia got reduced to 10-men four minutes after Nigeria’s penalty miss. Despite the expulsion of midfielder Haruna Njie for a second caution at the 89th minute, the Gambian held on and finally clinched their place in the final, confirming their progress in all categories in recent years.
By Brian Mboh