Gambia beat Algeria 2-1 in their final Nations Cup qualifier fixture played last night at the Independence Stadium, but the win felt short of the required to earn the of-late in-form Scorpions their first-ever Nations Cup appearance in Ghana 2008. The home side came from behind to snatch the winner that made Algeria lose out on one of the places reserved for the best three runners-up slots for the highest continental Championship.
The cautious visitors took the lead through their France-based forward Rafik Saifi just 8th minutes into the resumption of the second half, after a stalemate score in the first interval.

Scorpions got a chance to salvage image in the 67th minutes when the Nigerian referee awarded them a penalty, but forward Ousman Jallow, who earlier formed an unfamiliar front line with Danish-based, striker Njogu Demba, astonishingly watched his effort saved by keeper Gaovovi Lounes.

Just four minutes later, the Scorpions restored hopes when Assan Jatta came off the bench to slot in the equaliser to the delights of thousands of cheering home crowd that included the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay.

Gambia’s celebration turned soured just two minutes after, when star-striker Ousman Jallow was sent off for knocking an Algerian player.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the anxious Scorpions found the net again to send the home fans into delirium.

Substitute Modou Jagne set up Mathew Mendy whose clever low shot proved too strong for goalkeeper Gaovovi Lounes as the tensely contested match wrapped up at 2-1 score line.

Though, their Ghana dream has ended, the Scorpions can still reflect back with great pride.

In the other Group Eight fixture, Guinea walked over Cape Verde with a 4-0 thrashing to berth a spot at the Ghana finals. The Conakry victory saw the Syli Nationals finish top of Group Eight with eleven points.