The Comoros qualify for CAN 2025, after a sensational 2-1 victory against Gambia this Friday evening. This is only their second time that they have achieved this feat, after that of 2021.
This match was played as part of the 5th day of the CAN 2025 qualifiers. A victory for the Comoros would qualify them directly for the tournament in Morocco and the Coelacanths succeeded in their operation, with the added bonus of an incredible match.
Gambia-Comoros: electric first half!
In a match with high stakes for both teams, the Comoros were the first to be enterprising. From the first minutes, the Coelacanths’ possession of the game almost hit the mark, after Akim Abdallah’s first unsuccessful opportunity.
Despite Comorian possession, Gambia was able to take advantage of its individualities to open the scoring. The goal was signed by Alassana Jatta in the 18th minute, on an assist from the inevitable Musa Barrow.
The Comorian reaction did not take long to come, and it was effective. Rafiki Saïd equalized seven minutes later. That started another, even more interesting part of a first half that was shaping up to be electric.
Thanks to its placed counter-attacks and very dynamic offensive assets, the Comoros continued to make the opposing defense suffer. An opportunity from Sanyang in the 34th minute in the Gambian area caused a scare, but more fear than harm.
Opposite, with a fluid and very offensive game, Gambia regained the upper hand tactically during the last quarter of an hour of the game. A strike from Abdoulie Sowe in the 36th, followed by a cross shot from the left from Barrow in the 39th, almost put the Scorpions back in front before the break.
Second period: decisive entry from Myziane
Returning from the locker room, the Comoros tried to bite from the start. This appeared to be a mission impossible for them, as the Scorpions’ defense was so strong and disciplined.
Shortly after the hour mark, the Gambia coach unsuccessfully called for a foul on Jallow at the entrance to the Comorian area. A little later, a Comorian cross from the right in the 67th minute was narrowly cleared by Gambian goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju, before the latter stopped another shot from distance in two steps.
The Comoros were hot in the 75th. On a cross from the left, Gambian captain Omar Colley sent a header just wide of the far post. The PAOK Salonika central defender missed a golden opportunity in the opposing area.
A nice counter from the Gambian camp allowed Sanyang to send a cross from the left, but it was deflected by goalkeeper Yannick Pandor. However, the Comorian goalkeeper thought he had conceded when the 11 fired a missile towards the empty goal. The shot found the crossbar.
The Gambia Scorpions again had another golden opportunity in the 86th, but Abdoulie Ceesay missed the face-off against Pandor. With coach Stefano Cusin at the helm on the bench, the Comoros managed to find a loophole in this endless pressing from Gambia, to cause pain at the right time.
During a well-managed phase of play, a cross from Faïz Selemani from the edge of the Gambian area found Myziane at the far post. Free from any marking, the 25-year-old striker from Al-Kholoud Club (replacing the first scorer Saïd) sent a cross-helmet shot to crucify the Gambian goalkeeper. The latter could only contemplate this magnificent and decisive goal from the opponent.
Behind, Gambia pushed to seek the equalizer. In the 92nd, an uncarded shot from Barrow missed the Comorian goal. The Gambian striker had the equalizer at the end of his right foot.
Serien until the final whistle, Comoros won this match 2-1 against Gambia at the Berkane Stadium in Morocco. A victory which allows them to remain 2nd in Group A with 9 points and to qualify directly for CAN 2025.
This qualification for the CAN is only the second in the history of the Comoros, after the feat of 2021. On the other hand, Gambia will not have its third CAN in a row after 2021 and 2023. The Scorpions are eliminated before the hour, with 5 points in 3rd place, ahead of Madagascar (2).
