Gambia’s Ablie Jallow scored early as they made an impressive African Cup of Nations debut by beating Mauritania 1-0 in their Group F opener.
Jallow struck with a left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area to put Gambia ahead after 10 minutes in their first game at the finals.
There were also good second-half chances for the small west African country, one of two debutants in the 24-team field for the tournament in Cameroon
Gambia are joined at the top of the group standings by Mali, who edged Tunisia 1-0 in Limbe earlier on Wednesday in a controversy-filled encounter.
Jallow was set up by a swiftly-taken set piece from Musa Barrow, catching out the Mauritania defence and giving the new boys a perfect start.
With much tougher group games to come against Mali and Tunisia, Wednesday´s outcome was always going to be important for both Gambia and Mauritania´s hopes of advancing.
The top two teams in each of the six groups, plus the four best third-placed finishers, advance to the round of 16.
After the break, Sulayman Marreh and Sampdoria defender Omar Colley both failed to score with good headed chances from set pieces with Marreh missing from in front of goal and Colley powering his effort inches wide of the post.
In the final minutes, Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Diop made two key saves, first denying Dembo Darboe and then Barrow.
Mauritania appealed for a penalty with some 15 minutes left but it was turned down by VAR.
Gambia´s next game is against Mali in Limbe on Sunday, followed by Mauritania against Tunisia in the same stadium.
Back home President Adama Barrow and other leading politicians and fans celebrated the victory.
Facts
Mauritania: Diop; Karamoko (Demba 45), Houeibib (Adama Ba 80), Dellahi, Abeid, A. Thiam (Camara 66); A. N’Diaye (I. Thiam 65), Fofana, Mahmoud (Doukara 59); Kamara, P. Ba
Subs: M. N’Diaye, Abdoul Ba, Tanjy, Diarra, Coulibaly, Abderrahmane, Yacoub
Booked: A. N’Diaye, P. Ba
Gambia: M. Jobe, Touray (Sanneh 82), Gomez, O. Colley (L. Jallow 74), Jagne; E. Colley, Marreh, Adams, Barrow; A. Jallow (E. Darboe), Ceesay (D. Darboe)
Subs: Ngum, Sohna, Jallow-Mbye, B. Jobe, Trawally, Sibi, Badamosi, Njie
Goal: Jallow 10
Booked: Colley, D. Darboe, L. Jallow
