Goals from Kajally Drammeh and Alagie Saine lifted The Gambia to a 2-0 victory over Zambia in Friday’s Group C action at the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. The Young Scorpions clinch top spot in the group with their second victory from two matches along with a spot in the quarterfinals. Zambia, with one point through their two games, need a victory against Tunisia in their final group match on Monday to have any chance of advancing.
The Gambia looked more dangerous from the opening whistle with poor finishing and last ditch defending preventing them from having a halftime lead. Slavia Prague forward Ebrima Singhateh had a good look in the 4th minute after the Zambian defense failed to deal with a throw-in but Singhateh’s shot was deflected wide. Singhateh created a second opportunity for The Gambia in the 25th minute but after his cross made it through to Adama Bojang another late challenge prevented a shot on target.
Zambia had a couple of opportunities with the best look arriving in the 57th minute but a kick save from Gambian goalkeeper Pa Ebou Dampha kept out Derrick Bulaya’s effort. Soon after The Gambia made their breakthrough in the 63rd minute when a long ball was flicked into the Zambian penalty area by Harona Njie towards Bojang. The forward saw Zambia goalkeeper Jeban Tembo coming out and slipped a pass to Drammeh for an easy finish into the empty net.
The Young Scorpions put the match away in the 82nd minute after Modou Lamin Marong received a pass from fellow substitute Ba Lamin Sowe and burst away from two Zambian defenders, being tripped up by a diving Tembo for a penalty kick after touching the ball past the goalkeeper. Center back Alagie Saine sent Tembo the wrong way on his spot kick and The Gambia went on to keep their spotless defensive record for the shutout.
Highlights are below.
