Gambia claimed a dramatic 3-2 win over South Sudan in their latest 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, as Hamza Barry rifled home a 96th-minute winner at the Suez Canal Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The victory saw Gambia jump into second place in Group G, while South Sudan remained bottom of the table.
Also, the much-needed victory saw the Scorpions keep their Afcon qualifying hopes alive, with Mali and Congo scheduled to face each other this coming Sunday at Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat.
Gambia commenced the game on the front foot and immediately assumed possession of the ball. In stroking the ball around with relative ease, South Sudan were forced to play on the back foot.
As a result of their early pressure, Gambia took the lead in the fourth minute of the match as South Sudan were made to pay for sloppy defending inside their half.
After being awarded a free-kick, a deflected cross into the South Sudan box dumbfounded Ramadan Mayek, as the ball bounced over his head and into the back of the net.
Gambia continued to have the lion's share of the possession count and with it came numerous attempts at goal. However, South Sudan attacked at every opportunity in search of an equaliser.
South Sudan drew level soon after the 20th minute mark, as Manyumow Achol got his name on the score sheet. After making his way down the Gambia right hand flank, the attacker was on hand to slot away a cut-back pass inside the danger zone.
STOPPAGE-TIME WINNER
The game reached a tacky period after South Sudan drew level, as neither side were able to convert goal-scoring chances toward the end of the first 45.
In similar fashion to that of the first half, Gambia looked promising after the restart. In settling on the ball, Gambia looked for openings inside the Sudanese box with intricate passes en-route to goal.
Gambia re-took the lead soon after the hour mark, as Ablie Jallow got his name on the scoreboard after capping off a brilliant individual effort. In taking on a couple of defenders on the edge of the South Sudan box, Jallow unleashed a shot that left Mayek rooted to the spot.
South Sudan continued to play under the cosh for much of the second half and were reduced to defending their own quarters toward the end of the tie. Despite a mellow pace to the game overall, Gambia pressed high and attempted to win the ball in favourable positions on the pitch.
Despite Gambia controlling the game, South Sudan did not give up and found the equaliser in the 90th minute. After being awarded a corner, Chol Daniel rose highest to give his nation the leveller with a far-post header.
In a dramatic turn of events, Gambia then took the lead in the final minute of stoppage time as second-half substitute Hamza Barry pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area before rifling home the winner.
South Sudan: (1) 2 (Achol 21’ Daniel 90')
Gambia: (1) 3 (Angier OG 4’ Jallow 62’ Barry 90+6’
South Sudan:Mayek, Maker, Achol (Odong 64’), Daniel, Maslish, Toha, Yuel, Angier (Loki 18’), Atendele, Wane (Omot 78’), Riak (Wani 63’)
Gambia: Gaye, Touray, Colley, Gomez, Sanneh, Adams, Jallow, Marreh (Sanneh 86’), Barrow, Ceesay (Badamosi 71’), Colley (Barry 68’)