Gambia have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history.
The West African country beat Angola 1-0 in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the Independence Stadium in Bakau on Thursday, to book their spot at next year’s tournament in Cameroon.
Gambia’s Afcon place is guaranteed alongside Group D rivals Gabon who defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 in Franceville at the same time.
The results leave Gambia and Gabon tied on 10 points apiece while the DRC (6 points) and Angola (1 point) have been eliminated with a round of fixtures remaining.
Assan Cessay scored his third goal in two games against Angola with a second-half tap-in to lead the Scorpions to victory in Bakau, as they joined Comoros in booking their ticket at what will be both nations’ first Afcon appearance.
In Franceville, Aaron Boupendza, Denis Bouanga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were all on target for the Panthers in a comfortable win that brought an end to a disappointing campaign for a talented DR Congo side.
Gambia will travel to Kinshasa this weekend for what is effectively a dead rubber match on Monday while the Palancas Negras host Gabon in Luanda at the start of next week, in a similar scenario.
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