Gambia holds Algeria to 1-1 draw

The Gambia’s Scorpions have held the Desert Foxes of Algeria to a 1-all draw in a thrilling encounter in Banjul, on match day two of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.This is The Gambia’s first competitive game under new Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, and the match was played without Captain Omar Colley due to family reasons.
Gambia’s Vice President Ousainou Darboe and other top government officials were among the thousands of spectators who watched the match.
Baghdad Bounedjah, 26, of the Desert Foxes broke the deadlock in the 47th min of the game; however, his efforts were nullified by Assan Ceesay, Atlanta-based Gambian striker, who levelled the scores in the 49th min to the joy of the home crowd at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
Algerian coach Christian Gourcuff has made use of Manchester City star-player Riyad Mahrez and Captain Yacine Brahimi of FC Porto, but Gambian defenders managed to put them at bay.
The Gambia is currently ranked 48, while Algeria ranks 12 in FIFA’s latest rankings.
Meanwhile, Gambia’s next game will be against Togo, while Algeria who currently seats on top of group D will lock horns with Benin, on the 10th of October 2018.