Finally a first win for Johnny McKinstry in the AFCON qualifying matches. Former Gor Mahia coach so far only registered one win (5-1 against Seychelles in the World Cup qualifiers), along with two losses and two draws. One of those draws happened just three days ago in Casablanca where The Gambia played with Madagascar and the game ended 1-1, with both goals coming deep in stoppage time at the end of each half. The Scorpions were favorites in the first game as well as in this one, made 22 shots on goal and still failed to win. But today, even with a failed penalty, they finally managed to get all three points, putting them right back into the mix for the second place in Group A, led by Tunisia: The Gambia – Madagascar 1-0.🔚 PRIMER TRIUNFO DE GAMBIA EN #AFCONQ2025🇬🇲🇲🇬 En El Jadida, los Escorpiones ganaron por primera vez en esta campaña y reviven sus opciones en el Grupo A: 1-0 a Madagascar⚽️ Musa Barrow, que falló un penal al 28′, marcó el gol de la victoria al 62’pic.twitter.com/OUwLdLl9ah— Camino Mundial (@caminomundialok) October 14, 2024 It was former Bologna and Atalanta‘s striker Musa Barrow who failed to convert the penalty but eventually used a chance created by Jakuba Minteh to score the first win for McKinstry at AFCON. They need this win as Comoros defeat group favorites Tunisia at home in the last round, and the Scorpions need to catch them up. With a win against Madagascar, they are now hoping that Tunisia can defeat Comoros and keep them at five points in Group A.McKinstry records his second defeat as The Gambia coachThere were just two chances for McKinstry’s team in the first 45 minutes, but one of them was the biggest one – a penalty. Experienced Musa Barrow took the ball in the 28th minute but the visiting keeper Sonny Laiton saved his shot. The second half was also pretty much without a proper chance (if we exclude Reveloson‘s weak and over 20 meters‘ shot) and Gambia wasn‘t even dominant in possession, but it took a lack of concentration from Madagascar defense and Yakuba Minteh‘s dribbles to get the home team going. Just half and hour before the end, Brighton winger bursted from the right side and passed the ball to Barrow who was waiting on the far post just to tap it in for the lead. Minteh could have solved the match just minute later when he found himself alone with the keeper and passed him, but was tripped just to stay on his feet and miss the goal. The guests had the biggest opportunity in the 77th minute, when The Gambia allowed Louic Lapoussin to get the ball inside the penalty area but Ebrima Jarju made a fantastic save and eventually allowed McKinstry to get his first win in AFCON qualifiers.
