By: Foday Manneh
The Gambia National Under 20 team (Young Scorpions) has booked their place in the 2023 Cup of Nations in Egypt following Friday’s semi-final win over Mali in the WAFU Zone A championship currently ongoing in Mauritania.
Friday game shows the Gambia narrowly equalizing in the 83rd minute from Alieu Gibba’s goal, which extended the encounter to another 30 minutes of extra time before winning 4-2 in the post-penalty shootout. The Gambia will now face Senegal in the final on Sunday.
In what was a double victory for the Gambia – the young Scorpions now have the last job to complete to become back-to-back champions of WAFU Zone A come on Sunday.
However, whatever the outcome of Sunday’s final is, the young Scorpions’ return to the continent’s U20 tournament won’t be affected, as a spot in Egypt 2023 has been secured.
The Gambia will have a tournament to remember Mauritania for beating Cape Verde 2-0, 4-1 triumph over Liberia, 0-0 draw with Guinea, and a 1-0 loss to neighbors, Senegal in the Senegambia derby before the latest win over Mali to book a place in the finals.
The Gambia going to Egypt will be the young Scorpions’second consecutive appearance in the U20 Nations Cup following their last entrance – finishing as third-place winners in the 2021 edition in Mauritania under the reign of Coach Matar M’boge.
