Substitute Hamza Barry scored in the sixth minute of added time to give the scorpions a much needed 3-2 victory over South Sudan in the AFCON qualifiers. Hoping to qualify for a second successive AFCON, The Gambia needed a win, and so does their opponent.
In the five-goal thriller that produced two goals in the last five minutes, the scorpions scored early in the 4th minute courtesy of a Rehan Angier own goal. The defender looped the ball beyond his own goalkeeper as he attempted to clear a freekick from Musa Barrow.
South Sudan fought back and it paid off. In the 21st minute, Australia based winger, Ajak Chol outplayed Gambia’s Captain Omar Colley on the left side of the Gambian corner, before sending a low cross to Yuel Kuach, who struck the ball home from inside the box.
The break gave both sides the opportunity to put their things in order. But once again, it was The Gambia that seemed hungrier for a win. The scorpions took back the lead after a fantastic Ablie Jallow second strike that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
It would seem The Gambia is running away with all 3 points, until South Sudan equalised again in the 91st minute. Chol headed home from a corner after Baboucarr Gaye failed to catch the ball from a corner.
That goal obviously put The Gambia in a very awkward position. But it would not last long. The hero of the day, Hamza Barry, had other ideas. He rescued the scorpions in the 96th minute; picking up a rebound from Ablie Jallow’s initial effort that came off a South Sudanese defender.
With 9 points from a possible 15, The Gambia’s dreams of qualifying are well alive and within reach. And with their final match against Congo coming up in September, a win would most certainly send them to Egypt.
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