The Gambia Under 17 team will make their second appearance in the African Under 17 Championship finals in four years, after a 2-0 victory over Ghana Black Starlets on Saturday, at the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

Two second-half goals from Omar Colley and  Alasana Camara were enough for the Baby Scorpions to cruise to next year’s final on an away goal rule, and in effect avenge the painful loss suffered by their seniors, to their Ghanaian counterparts for the African Youth Championship.

The Gambians, who lost woefully in the first leg match played in Kumasi two weeks back, entered the game completely written off, as was evident in the scanty home crowd that turned up to cheer a team that needed a miracle to qualify.

And more doubts were cast on Baby Scorpion’s future when they failed to jell into a team in the first interval that was unarguably dominated by the visitors who were also sitting on a 3-1 first leg win.

Fresh from break, the Gambians came out strongly as they attacked from all angles with their game plan frustrating the defence of the Ghanians.
The improved second half performance paid dividends as early as 58th minute when Wallidan’s Omar Colley slotted in the opener to the bewilderment of the Ghanaians. Elephant striker Alasana Camara’s header three minutes later sent the home crowd to a wild celebration.

The Ghanaians fought hard to find the equaliser but the defence of the Gambians refused to bulge as their attack continued to probe for an equaliser.
The Gambia will now join the host Algeria (who berthed automatic place as host) and six other nations for the championship proper scheduled between March 19 and April 3, 2009.

The Algiers finals will also serve as qualifiers for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup finals scheduled to take place in Nigeria later in the same year.