Guinea strengthened their hold on second place in Group C at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over The Gambia on Friday at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro. Aguibou Camara provided the only goal of the match in the second half to give the Syli National four points from two matches and avenge a Round of 16 defeat against The Gambia at the 2021 AFCON. Guinea face group leaders Senegal on Tuesday while Gambia, all but eliminated following the defeat, have a clash against Cameroon where both teams must win to keep their hopes alive.
Once again it was a frustrating outing for Gambian supporters whose team continued to struggle to replicate the attacking success seen during the team’s quarterfinal finish at the 2021 edition. Guinea dictated play throughout the first half but the Gambian defense was much more resilient on this occasion compared to their opening match defeat to Senegal. The closest either team came to scoring was through Guinea striker Mohamed Bayo whose 33rd minute effort went off the post and wide from a pass by Iliax Moriba.
Gambian goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye also performed well and kept the match level early in the second half with quick reactions, closing down two efforts from Guinea’s Sekou Sylla in the opening fifteen minutes. However the Guinean attack increased its intensity and took the lead in the 69th minute when a floated pass to the right wing found substitute Ibrahim Diakité, whose pass set up room for Morgan Guilavogui to cross low and find Camara for a toe poked finish through the legs of Gaye.
After Bayo failed to double Guinea’s lead with a shot off the crossbar five minutes later, The Gambia pushed for an equalizer. Substitute forward Yankuba Minteh got behind on the left wing and put his shot between the legs of Guinean keeper Ibrahim Koné but the offsides flag came up to dampen the Scorpions’ celebrations. In the 85th minute an early cross from the right wing found Ablie Jallow at the far post but the winger’s volley went into the side netting and that was the closest The Gambia came to leveling.
Highlights of the match are below.
Match Highlights
