Veteran Sampdoria center back Omar Colley captained a Gambia side featuring many young talents eager to make an impression to a friendly triumph over Niger by a 2-0 score in Turkey on Saturday. The Ménas of Niger were a capable opponent on the day by taking advantage of some of Gambia’s inexperience to carve out some opportunities, but in the end better quality in the attacking third was the difference for the Scorpions.
In the 28th minute Gambia opened the scoring when Niger’s left back failed to move up as the defensive line attempted an offside trap, resulting in RFC Seraing attacker Ablie Jallow being sent in along with a teammate with only Nigerien keeper Kassaly Daouda to beat. Jallow, who helped Seraing obtain promotion to Belgium’s top division this past season on loan from FC Metz, rounded Daouda and patiently waited for the Katsina United keeper to commit before slotting neatly inside the near post for his third international goal in nine matches.
Poor defending on a long ball from Niger led to Gambia’s second goal in the final seconds of the match. Giant former Real de Banjul striker Muhammed Badamosi took advantage to get behind and dispatched a low finish for his first international goal.
A match report in French is in the link below from Africa Foot United with video highlights below the link.
