The Gambia qualified to the semifinal of the African Youth Champioinship after a 1-0 victory over the host, Congo.

The darling Scorpions claimed their stunning victory at Massamba Stadium, with a long-range free-kick by substitute striker Pa Landing Conateh, barely two minutes of the stoppage time.

Taking advantage of the teeming crowd of home supporters, the Young Red Devils admittedly dominated the first interval before mounting pressure forced Coach Bonu Johnson’s side to adjust themselves in the second half.

Congo were close to the opener in the 8 minute, when Joseph Gomez denied prolific forward, Nyakosso Chirel. Moments later, Mando Bojang’s weak defensive caused an agitation, was averted by Ken Malamin Jammeh through a timely cover-up.

In the 24 minute, Congolese forward made a thunderous volley that went wide over the woodwork. This paved way for immediate reaction from Gambia. Mansally over-elaboration allowed him to connect Sainey Nyassi to a low cross in the 27th minute.

After the break, darling Scorpions’ adjustment saw them take control of the ball possession in the second interval.

In the 61minute, Gambia were close to an opener, when Ousman Jallow astonishingly saw his low header went inches over the woodwork. In the 63 minute, Pa Modou Jagne, much of whom was not seen in the first half, surprisingly had his penalty appeal rejected by the Guinean referee. Moments later, Ousman Jallow was also ignored, following a late-tackl in the Congolese 18 yard.

In 75 minute, Bonu Johnson redeemed his side with the introduction of Pa Landing Contah, whose entrance re-enforce the attack. Conateh proved his introduction was long-overdue, when he converted a free-kick to break the stalemate at no-time left-on the clock.

The Gambia will play their final group match against Ivory Coast on Friday at the Congolese provincial town of Pointe Noire, leading the Group A with six points. Congo now face a tough game against Burkina Faso on Friday while The Gambia will just need a draw against Ivory Coast to qualify.

Gambia's coach Peter Bono Johnson told the BBC that he was surprised by the goal, because "we had our strategy and that was what we implemented. Obviously when you are playing with the home team you have to be very cautious at the back".

He then added: "We allowed them to run the ball in their own zone, but when they came into our zone we made sure it was not easy for them: we made it very tight."

Reactions

Meanwhile, the entire Gambian community have joined President Yahya AJJ Jammeh in celebrating the success of the Baby Scorpions who are currently participating in the ongoing African Youth Championship in Congo Brazzaville.

In a telephone interview with the Daily Observer last night, Sheikh Omar Faye, Secretary of State for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs asserted that without doubt, the support and blessings given to the Baby Scorpions (U-20) by His Excellency, President Yahya Jammeh in no small way, contributed to these noble achievements.

He then lauded the contribution of individuals, Institutions, patriotic Gambians and genuine friends of The Gambia who supported the Baby Scorpions in one way or the other, in facilitating their trip to Congo.
These Individuals, Companies, Institutions he added, includes amongst others Her Excellency, Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice-President and Secretary of State for Womens’ Affairs, Members of the Cabinet, Secretary General Office of the President, Edi Jobe and his team, Col Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff, Momodou Sanyang, Managing Director of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) and Staff, The Gambia Football Association Marketing Committee, School children, the Daily Observer and other Media houses, Africell, Slok Air, Gamtel/Gamcel, Elton Oil, Access Bank, Prime Insurance, Gambia Investment Promotion and Free Zones Agency (GIPFZA).

SoS Faye then called on the rest of individuals, companies, parastatals, institutions and all those who have not yet contributed all over the country, to come on board and contribute as they are fully on preparations for the forthcoming World Cup to be held in Canada which will commence at the end of June to the first week of July 2006. He then commended every Gambian for their prayers and urged everyone to continue praying for the success of the team.