Africa Cup of Nations: Ablie Jallow stunner helps debutants Gambia secure historic win over Mauritania
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Published 12/01/2022 at 18:56 GMT
Ablie Jallow will go down as Gambia’s first ever goalscorer in the Africa Cup of Nations, and his stunning first-half strike was enough to hand the debutants all three points in Group F against a Mauritania side that had 20 shots and the majority of possession. The match started late after the first Group F game ended in chaos.
Mauritania's goalkeeper Babacar Diop fails to save a goal shot by Gambia's midfielder Ablie Jallow
Image credit: Getty Images
Gambia got off to the perfect start in their first ever Africa Cup of Nations campaign when beating Mauritania 1-0 thanks to a first-half stunner.
Ablie Jallow, who plays for Belgian First Division A club Seraing, ultimately scored the only goal of the game in the 10th minute at Stade de Limbe in Cameroon.
The 23-year-old winger did terrifically to get the ball out from under his feet, with his effort from 20 yards out evading Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Diop when finding the far corner.
It was a memorable moment for Gambia, the AFCON debutants who were initially made to wait after kick-off against Mauritania was delayed due to chaotic scenes in the other Group F match between Tunisia and Mali.
Things hardly got off to the best start in this match, either, with the wrong anthem played multiple times as Mauritania's players shook their heads in frustration.
After taking the lead, Gambia survived wave after wave of attacks from Mauritania, who dominated possession and recorded 20 shots in total.
Crucially, though, just two of those attempts were on target, and Gambia held on to pick up three points.
It also meant eight of the opening 11 AFCON matches have now ended 1-0.
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