Gambia National U-20 Team continues their celebrity status on Sunday May 13th when they beat counterparts from Benin at the opening leg of the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier in Banjul.
The WAFU Champions opened what could have been a trail of devastation for the Junior Squirrels when Striker Adama Jammeh opened the firing at the opening three minutes just after kick off. Jammeh continued his stellar roller as the Young Scorpions dominate possession even at the opponents area.
At the delight of the home fans with a roaring cheer, the Young Scorpions danced around with their impressive ball possession with new inclusion Ebrima Colley adding the scoring to two nil just by the edge of the defense line to seal the lead before the break.
Second half resumption saw a better Benin as they pulled one back when coach Valere Houandinou introduced a double substitution quarter way after the break. With the coming up of substitute Bun Sanneh for the Gambia, more chances were created but wayward for striker and captain Basirou Mbye to amend for the hosts.
It ended 2-1 for the Gambia and the Young Scorpions will travel to Benin for the return leg with hopes to increase the aggregate.
Coach Mattar Mboge at post match press conference said the Young Scorpions planned a fast start as was in their WAFU tournament. ‘ We want to get as many goals as possible and keep the ball within us but credit to the Benin Coach for the changes he did’. He said the result is a positive one and ‘ we now look at what we can do in the return leg’. Coach Mboge heaped praises on the Young Scorpions for what he consider as ‘ rare in Football’. He said the boys kept possession although some chances were wasted but he wasnt disappointed ‘ because we knew it would happen’. He said the team will regroup and will fight for what lies ahead of them in Benin. ‘ My philosophy is attacking and its a case of going all out to fight for what is in for us’.