The Gambia Under 17 team got off to a winning start in the 2009 African U-17 Championships in Algeria with a 1-0 win over Guinea yesterday in their Group A opener played in Zeralda 40 km of capital Algiers.

Striker Ebrima Bojang’s second-half strike after a scramble in the Guinean goal mouth was enough to fetch the maximum points for the pre-tournament favourites. The Baby Scorpions, who entered the game on the back of a good track record in  the pre-tournament friendlies in Egypt, were the better side throughout the regulation, albeit their wastefulness in front of the goal line only ensured a narrow  scoreline. After only five minutes into the game, the Gambia should have taken the lead after Abdou Njie’s range shot went inches off the target.

Coach Tarik Siagy’s side went ahead to miss several precious chances midway in the first half as they dominated the Guineans. Midfielder Baboucarr Savage watched his effort bounced off the post in the 26th minute before the Guinean keeper saved striker Alasana Camara’s low shot. The Guinean survived another scare moments later when forward Ebrima Bojang’s powerful shot went just inches off the woodwork as the first half ended in stalemate.

The Baby Scorpions came into the second even stronger and the price finally paid after only seven minutes when Ebrima Bojang broke the deadlock. Crafted Saihou Gassama, much of whom was not seen in the first half, delivered a weighted corner resulting in a scramble only for the Real de Banjul’s goal poacher Ebrima Bojang to send in a rocket shot from the edge of the box.The Gambia will return to action on Sunday, March 22, with a clash against Cameroon who were also beaten by the hosts Algeria 1-0 in the day’s other match.

Gambia’s lineup
Musa Camara, Lamin Samateh, Matarr Jobe, Abdou Njie, Omar Colley, Baboucarr Savage, Sainey Sambou (Pateh Nyang 68mins), Dawda Ceesay, Saihou Gassama, Ebrima Bojang and Alasana Camara (Jatta Baldeh 47mins).