The Djurtus finished Group A first with 10 points after the victory in Bissau, one point ahead of second-placed Nigeria, which will face Sierra Leone in the other group game.Guinea Bissau’s lone goal came from substitute Zinho Gano in a shaky encounter, but it was enough to get them a ticket to the spectacular in Cote d’Ivoire the following year.There weren’t many clear-cut opportunities in the first half, however Mama Balde had many chances but couldn’t get a shot on goal. His finest chance came with an overhead kick from within the box, but it was unable to find the target. He attempted a shot from close range but was unable to get a clean shot off.The Djurtus worked harder in the second half, and it paid off when Gano, a replacement who had just entered the game, pounced on the ball from close range after the Sao Tome goalkeeper dropped a shot from Eucidalcio Gomes.After scoring, Guinea Bissau felt more at ease and had the majority of the possession, but they were unable to score again. Gomes had a few opportunities, but none were potent enough to alter the result.The last group game will feature Sierra Leone versus Guinea Bissau.Gambia 3-2 South SudanEarlier on, Gambia defeated South Sudan 3-2 in a five-goal thriller in Suez thanks to a goal by Hamza Barry in the sixth minute of extra time, maintaining their chances of making it to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tourney.With a goal in the 91st minute from Peter Chol, South Sudan had twice come back from goals down to tie 2-2, but Barry’s goal late in the game gave The Scorpions the victory and moved them up to second place in Group G with nine points, three ahead of Congo, who will face group leader Mali in the other match.South Sudan’s hopes of qualifying for the Cup of Nations have been crushed and they will now simply play the last group game as a formality. Fatma Samoura steps down as FIFA Secretary General##NAJAVA_MECA_7318822##Both teams needed a victory to keep their dreams alive, but it was Gambia who would calm their fears first, taking the lead in the third minute thanks to an own goal by Rehan Malong. The defender was attempting to clear a free kick from Musa Barrow when he looped the ball past his own goalkeeper.Two minutes later, Barrow should have made it 2-0 for Gambia, but his attempt from a left cutback was just wide. Malong’s day came to an early end after only 18 minutes as he was hooked out for Emmanuel Peter Loki.Yuel Kuach scored from within the box from a cross from Ajak Chol in the 21st minute to bring South Sudan back into the match. The winger, who is based in Australia, did well to outmuscle Omar Colley for possession of the ball before cutting back a cross that Kuach side-footed in.In the 32nd minute, Kuach nearly made it 2-1 for South Sudan when he curled a nice shot from the edge of the box, but it clanged off the crossbar.Both teams could have won the match after the first half ended with a score of 1-1, but Gambia came back in the second half with more vigor. They had a good chance to score in the 58th minute when Assan Ceesay and Ebrima Colley missed a cross from Ibou Omar Tourray that would have only needed one touch to find the back of the net. Newcastle get the Gambian lighting bolt and ship him off to Arne Slot on loanHowever, they scored in the 61st minute thanks to a spectacular strike by Ablie Jallow. The FC Metz midfielder advanced to the edge of the penalty area, had his eventual effort stopped, but on the second attempt, scored.The goalkeeper failed in his attempt to grab a corner kick, and Chol headed the ball home from it in the 91st minute to give South Sudan at least a point from the match.But in the final minute of extra time, Barry scored with a shot from inside the box, taking up the rebound after Jallow’s initial effort hit a defender inside the box. This ended their tenuous chances of staying afloat.
