The Gambia lost to Mauritania 2-1 in their Group M game played at the Olympic Stadium in Nouakchott on Friday.
The host made an astonishing start to the game and came close to scoring twice in the 15th and 20th minutes of the game through striker Ahmed Bessam, who blasted his goal opportunities away.
Striker Halilou Bessam gave Mauritania the lead in the 37th minute of the game after slashing through Gambia’s defence line to fire home the opener for the Mauribitounes following a deadlock in the opening minutes of the game.
The Gambia, who were unable to establish themselves in the game, also came close to levelling the scores through midfielder Hamza Barry in the 40th minute of the game but his excellent effort was denied by Mauritania’s net-minder Ibrahim Soulaymane and the Maurabitounes went to break with a one-zero advantage.
Upon resumption of the game, the Scorpions regrouped themselves and mounted pressure on the Murirabitounes defence line and levelled the scores through Leeds United’s striker Mustapha Carayol in the 60th minute of the game to make it 1-all.
The Gambia had a goal scored by Demba Savage in the 65th minute of the game but it was disallowed by the Liberian referee.
Striker Ahmed Bessam snatched the winner for Mauritania in the stoppage time thereby dashing The Gambia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mauritania remained second spot in Group M of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with 6 points in three matches after grabbing two victories against South Africa and The Gambia, and one defeat against Cameroon.
The Gambia are now on the bottom of Group M of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a single point in three outings.
South Africa climbed to second place from bottom in Group M following their 2-2 draw away to Cameroon in Yaoundé on Sunday.
The Indomitable Lions are still leading Group M with 7 points in three games despite their 2-2 home draw with South Africa at the weekend.
South Africa are third place in group M with 2 points in three games after their 2-2 draw with Cameroon in Yaoundé at the weekend.
Meanwhile, The Gambia will today, Tuesday 29 March 2016, host Mauritania in the return leg of the qualifiers at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
