Scorpions’ Barrow square, Modou Barrow and Musa Barrow on Monday exhibited their talents with two brilliant consecutive strikes in Gambia Scorpions’ 2-1 win over Panthers of Gabon. The match was a return leg of the ongoing Afcon group qualifiers played at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
South Korea’s Jeaonbuk Hyundai Motors attacker, Modou Barrow, opened the score sheet for the game when he capitalized on the Gabonese goalkeeper Mfa Anthony’s blunder in the 61st minute of the second half to make it 1-0. A few minutes later, Italia Serie A and Bologna’s striker Musa Barrow added the score line in the 79th minutes to make it 2-0, after a superb assist from UAE-based Steve Bubacarr Trawally.
Gabon pulled a goal back in the 89th minute as Bruno Ecuele Manga powerfully headed a free-kick from Denis Bounga. At the end of the game, it was Scorpions of The Gambia 2 and Panthers of Gabon 1.
The Scorpions Coach, despite the challenges face by his team, said he is very happy and proud of his team.
“Despite the too much challenges we still have a good group of players and we showed that already in the first match of the second half. Today, we were in control in the first half even though without creating a lot of chance apart from the one from Ablie Jallow. In the second half we came out with more fire and scored two very good goals from the two Barrow’s which is very important for the boys,” said the Gambian boss.
He added that The Gambian side has a lot of talents but are not just lucky, noting that sometimes it is also good to get that boost.
“Am very happy for these boys and very proud that they scored these goals. Naturally we wanted to win two nil because later in the qualification, it could be very important if we end with the same points with Gabon. At the moment we (Scorpions) team lead the group due to goal difference. But naturally, if they score more goals than us in their last game against Angola then it could be a problem“.
The Gambian-Belgian tactician further said that he is very proud for his side while understanding the difficult circumstances that preceded the match.
“We got tested four times in the last 10 days and we are not scared to be tested anywhere. We did as well respected the CAF rules. We get tested in our home country. We got twice tested in Gabon and Sulayman Marreh, though not sick but positive with no symptoms, is still sitting in Gabon.”
The Gambia has now reclaimed the top its Afcon qualifiers group D with 7 points after this win, levelling with Gabon but superior in goal differences.
The Scorpions will next March 2021 play against Angola in Banjul, while Gabon plays DR Congo.