AFCON 2023: Scorpions of Gambia in to bite National Elephants

Guinea enters their second Africa Cup of Nations match against Gambia at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, aiming to build on their positive start in the highly competitive Group C, which has been dubbed the “group of death” in this year’s tournament. Senegal currently leads the group after securing the sole victory in the initial round of matches.

Despite being considered underdogs, Guinea showcased their improvement in recent years with an impressive display against Cameroon in their first match. Despite a needless red card before halftime, Kaba Diawara’s team managed to secure a point against Cameroon, and a win in this encounter could almost certainly secure their place in the knockout round.

In their initial match, Guinea took the lead within the first 10 minutes through Mohamed Bayo, displaying resilience and matching their opponents step for step. Even without talisman Serhou Guirassy, their performance left many neutrals feeling they deserved all three points, emphasizing their potential in the competition.

The upcoming clash between Guinea and Gambia marks the second meeting of these sides in AFCON competition, with Gambia securing a 1-0 victory during the Round of 16 in the 2022 edition. Gambia, known as The Scorpions, must replicate their previous success or face slim chances of progressing to the last 16, especially with a challenging fixture against Cameroon looming in their final group stage match.

Tom Saintfiet’s side faces an uphill battle based on their lackluster performance in the opening match, where they were outplayed by Senegal and suffered a 3-0 defeat. With an early conceded goal and a red card for Ebou Adams, The Scorpions’ hopes were further dashed as Lamine Camara netted a brace for the defending champions.

Gambia is currently on a three-match losing streak, including defeats to Burundi (3-2) and Ivory Coast (2-0) during World Cup qualifying in November. Qualifying for the knockout rounds appears challenging for Saintfiet’s squad, and they must elevate their performance to navigate through the tough competition in Group C.

As the tournament progresses, Guinea’s form in the Africa Cup of Nations remains solid with a draw in the opening match. In all competitions, they boast a commendable record of two wins, two draws, and a loss in their recent outings. On the other hand, Gambia’s AFCON form shows a loss in their first match, while their overall form in all competitions indicates two wins, three losses, and a draw.

With both teams seeking pivotal points to secure their progression, the Guinea-Gambia encounter promises an intense battle in the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations.