Scorpions have kept their hope of qualifying for Ghana 2008 Nations Cup finals alive with a breath-taking 2-2 draw with the Syli Nationales of Guinea on Sunday. The visiting Scorpions twice came from behind to level against the seemingly over-confidence host team, amidst thousand of vigorous home- crowds that included the Guinean Sports Minister.
Guinea’s Dawda Diaby opened the scoring on the 10th minute with a powerful shot that took a deflection before beating keeper Musa Bajaha.
Edrisaa Sonko restored Scorpions hope when he slotted home the equaliser on the 53rd minutes-courtesy of Dawda Bah’s set-up.
 
Scorpion’s jubilation was short-lived when skilful Foday Mansarry lobbed the ball over keeper Bajaha to make it 2-1, after Pascal Feindouno free-kick bounced off the stand post. However, on the 81st minute, the Guinea’s hope of fetching an easy win was again dashed when substitute Pa Modou Jagne nodded home blistering equaliser.
Sunday’s match at Stade du 28 September was a keenly-contested fixture, where the toiling and determined Scorpions fought to the last minute.
Taking advantage of the home-crowd, the host admittedly dominated the first 15th minutes with some good scoring chances.
 
The French-based player, Foday Mansarry, nearly opened the scoring right from the kick-off with a thunderous shot that winced inches from the woodwork.  Moments later, Pascal Feindouno tried his luck with a range shot that also went wide.
Guinea’s impressive start got reciprocated on the 10th minute when Foday Mansary sent the home-crowd that cheered up with a well- weighted shot that took a deflection before beating goalkeeper Bajaha.
 
Two minutes later, Edrissa Sonko astonishingly saw his weighted free-kick went just inches from the woodwork before Njogu Demba and Captain Ebou Sillah made their presence felt with some good neating in the Guinean territory.
Fresh from break, saw the Scorpions fight for a come back and the price paid off on the 53rd minute when Dawda Bah set up Edrissa Sonko to level the scores.
A controversial goal from Foday Mansary on the 55th minute short-cut Gambia’s jubilation.
 
Coach Jose Martenez’s decision to reactivate his striking force with the introduction of Assan Jatta and Pa Modou Jagn at the expense of Njogu Demba and Kamal Ndow was rewarded on the 81st minute, with a fascinating header from Pa Modou Jagne.
Home fans reacted to the 2-2 result by throwing objects to the Syli Nationales as they drove off from the jam-packed Stadium.