By Baboucarr Fallaboweh
Ivory Coast handed the Scorpions its second World Cup qualifiers defeat following a 2-0 scoreline with goals from Christian Kouame and Seko Fofana.
Tom who was leading the Gambia to its fourth official World Cup match rang in changes to the team that played against Burundi on Thursday.
Buba Sanneh, Saidy Janko, Dawda Ngum, and Alieu Fadera all earned a start in a 4-5-1 formation. Jackobs Mendy of Wrexham AFC made his debut for the Scorpions and becomes the 37th debutant under Tom Saintfiet. Musa Barrow played False 9 as Ceesay dropped to the bench.
Experienced Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Seko Fofana, and Frank Kessie all started for the Ivorians.
Brighton’s young star Adingra Simon made the starting lineup once again for the Elephants.
Sebastian Haller, Jeremy Boga and Nottingham Forest Ibrahim Sanghare were all on the bench for the the 2006 World Cup participant’s.
The Ivorians kept most of the balls but the defensive walls of the Gambia kept pushing them back. They reverted to using the wings with a breakthrough almost possible but Diakite’s chest control was just wide resulting in a goal kick for the Gambians in the 14th minute.
Fadera had a great afternoon and when the opportunity arose, he dribbled in the 21st minute. His shot was blocked, and Jallow’s follow-up effort was also blocked on the left side of the field.
Modou Jobe maintained his position and was called to action in the 27th minute by blocking Hamed JR Traore’s effort. With 10 minutes remaining before Halftime, Hamed sent in a critical cross from corner, Jobe dealt with it by punching it out of danger.
The Ivorians kept knocking and the breakthrough almost came in the 42nd minute of the game only to see Kouame’s effort hit the woodwork. On the stroke of half time, the Gambian resilient was broken, and the Elephants took the lead, Jobe saved from Diaktie but moments later he was beaten by Christian Koume as the Elephants took a deserved lead.
The Gambia started brightly upon resumption of action and went on the offensive which yielded dividends as they earned their first corner.
The Gambia earned a freekick after Saidy Janko was brought down by Hassane Kamara, it should have been 1-1 but Musa Barrow’s effort hit the side netting.
Salzburg forward Karim Konateh had the chance to make it 2-0 in the 69th minute but his shot went over the bar.
The Elephants kept on searching for the second goal as Kessie had his shot blocked by captain Omar Colley.
Tom made his first change when Ebrima Colley replaced Dawda Ngum and Badamoesi also came in for Alieu Fadera.
Hopes were ruined when Seko Fofana scored a long range in the 85th minute as the Gambia left Tanzania with 0 points in their two World Cup matches.
