Despite a bright start, Yankuba Minteh’s Gambian side were unable to hold off a strong Senegalese outfit during their opening AFCON 2023 fixture. After Pape Gueye had given the defending champions the lead, Gambia’s job was made even more difficult when Cardiff City midfielder Ebou Adams was sent off before half-time.
Prior to the red card, Minteh, who is currently on loan at Feyenoord from Newcastle United, had been lively for Gambia and a real threat out wide. Yet down to ten men Senegal were able to exert their authority on the game. The exciting 20-year-old Metz midfielder Lamine Camara scored twice, both well taken goals, to help Senegal to a 3-0 victory. Genk winger Alieu Fadera was given just 15 minutes off the bench to try and impact the game, but by then there was little that could be done.
Belgian head coach of Gambia, Tom Saintfiet, will have to go back to the drawing board ahead of the sides next clash with Guinea on Friday. They will have good memories of playing their fellow West African opponents, having beaten them last time they faced each other in Gambia’s debut AFCON. Musa Barrow scored the only goal of the game as Gambia knocked Guinea out in the last 16.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
