The Gambia kicked off its campaign at the ongoing West Africa Football Union (WAFU ) Zone A U-20 Tournament at a slow pace in Thies after it suffered 5-1 dent to hosts Senegal on Sunday 22nd November 2020 in Match Day 2 of the tournament.
Despite their great and promising start to the build up of the game, a dispossessed counter attack from the Senegalese midfield with a perfect cross and a simple finish at the back of the net was the start of what later became unpleasant scoreline for the Gambia at the start of proceedings.
The young Scorpions held their nerves until the 45th minutes when Alagie Kujabi was brought down in the area penalty box that Momodou Bojang stepped up to convert and leveled the scores.
The Gambia regained possession and pushed for more goals but the bizarre and turning point of the game happened when Bissau Referee Bonifaciao J. Da Silva awarded another penalty to Senegal in just a minute from time added on and thus ended 2-1 to Senegal at half time.
M’boge’s charges came back strong from the break to work for another equalizer but with two other penalties awarded to the host, it was barely impossible for the young Scorpions to rejuvenate. Gambia’s matters got worsened when Captain James Gomez was sent off for a second booking resulting to another spot kick.
The Gambia and fans at the Lat Dior Stadium soon became furious on the fitness of the Bissau referee when he limped off from the pitch in the 60th minute to receive treatment. Pundits described the Bissau Referee as having lost affairs of the game that resulted to Gambia’s dilemma.
It ended 5-1 to Senegal earning the hosts a semi final berth while the Gambia must play a must win to Sierra Leone in its next outing scheduled for Tuesday 24th November 2020 to get their advance ticket to the next stage of the tournament.
