Gambia top Group A

The Gambia Under 17 team finished at the summit of their group in the on-going African Under 17 Championship after a 2-0 win over Algeria in the ultimate group match yesterday.

A first half own goal and a last gasp header from striker, Ebrima Bojang, saw the fancy Gambian side condemn the hosts to their first defeat after both sides entered the game unbeaten in their first two group matches. Guinea and Cameroon, the group’s two casualties, drew goalless in the day’s other match.

The Gambia started their group campaign with a 1-0 win over Guinea, which was followed by a resounding 2-0 victory over the 2003 champions, Cameroon. Coach Tarik Siagy did not go by his earlier pronouncement that he would give chance to other players in the game that was to decide the group winner, as both sides had earlier confirmed their place in the semis.

Goalkeeper Musa Camara, who has still not conceded a goal after 270 minutes of play, maintained his position in  the Baby Scorpions’s goal mouth, while Steve Biko’s Alasana Camara formed a familiar partnership with ever-present Ebrima Bojang at the front line. Defenders Lamin Samateh and Omar Colley were the only absentees at the defence while crafted Saihou Gassama, Baboucarr Savage, Pateh Nyang, Abdou Njie, Dawda Ceesay and Matarr Jobe all figured in the starting line up.

The Baby Scorpions were the better side throughout the regulations, giving more weight to the general impression that the Gambians could be on their way to clinching the crown they last won in 2005. The Gambia will return to action on Sunday with a semi-final clash against the Group B runners, which will be decided today between Burkina Faso and Niger.