Gambian football fans will have to wait for at least another two years, some cynics say even longer in the hope of qualifying to the African Nations Cup after all hopes for a maiden appearance in this year’s expanded version fizzled out last weekend.
Needing to win against Algeria ahead of the Benin Togo encounter, a lackluster performance showed The Gambia trailed by a lone goal until a last gasp equalizer rescued a point. With that job bungled, attention focused on the Benin Togo match Sunday.
The Gambia could have been handed another lifeline had Togo won ahead of the CAS decision, but it ended Benin 2- Togo 1 effectively meaning that even if CAS rules in The Gambia’s favour, the additional points to be given would bring a total of only 8 points which will still be two points behind Benin’s 10 points for the all important second place.
The group thus finished with the two qualifying spots going to Algeria with 11 Points and Benin on 10 points.
The Gambia and Togo missed qualification at 6 and 5 points respectively. The Gambia could go to 8 points if CAS gives it maximum points from the Lome encounter where The Gambia claimed Togo’s Adewale Olufade is not eligible to participate in.
