Gambia lost 1-0 to Ghana on Tuesday in the ongoing West Africa Football Union Tournament at Lat-Dior Stadium in Thies, Senegal.
The young scorpions offered very little in the way of attack in the first half with their only significant chance coming courtesy of a 22-yard free-kick in the 20th minute, but Gibril Sillah blazed his attempt inches wide.
The Ghanaians settled first in the game by spending more time in the Gambian half with Joseph Esso dictating terms from the midfield. They continued their dominance after that and were unlucky not to take the lead when a 30-yard shot from Mumuni Shafiu struck the top of the crossbar.
Seven minutes into the second half, Gambian defender, Sadi Gaye, almost turned the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear a left-wing cross from Ibrahim Moro, but fortunately for the Gambian player his header came off the post.
In the 66th minute, the deadlock was finally broken when a low pin-point cross courtesy of Moro was turned home from a six-yards out by Esso.
Ten minutes later Gambia came close to equalizing when a long throw-in into the Ghana box found Matarr Ceesay unmarked at the back post, but he headed straight at the keeper from close range.
In the 80th minute, the Scorpions were gifted a chance to level matters when the referee awarded a controversial penalty after adjudging Alhassan Mohammed to have fouled Modou Cham inside the box. Cham, though, failed to take the golden chance when he struck the penalty against the left post.
In the post-match conference, Gambian coach, Omar Sise, admitted that his side had many chances to score. “I am disappointed with the performance of my boys because we didn’t capitalize on our goal chances. We will go and work harder for our next. I am apologizing to all Gambians because they have high hopes in this team, we promise them to continue fighting to win our next games”.
Gambia’s next game is against Mauritania on Friday.
Omar Jarju is in Thies.
