Gambia U-17 succumb to 3-2 defeat in Tunis

The Gambia's Baby Scorpions succumbed to a 3-2 defeat in the hands of Tunisia in the first leg of the final round of the African U-17 qualifiers in Tunis on Saturday.

The visitors twice came from behind to level their advantage courtesy of skilful forward Buba Jallow, also known as Meles, who scored his second goal in only three minutes to stoppage time.

But lack of concentration by the Gambian defence caused them a late defeat, according to West Coast Radio reporter Abdoulie Bah, who was relaying radio commentary.

The Tunisian team took advantage of loose marking in the Gambian defence to score twice in the second half in their hard-fought 3-2 victory.

The Gambia twice came from behind, through Buba Jallow, to level the score 2-2 in less than 3 minutes remaining.

But the Baby Scorpions were not good enough to keep hold onto a 2-2 score line and in the process conceded a late goal to loose the match 3-2.

Despite the defeat, hopes are still high in The Gambia that the two-time African champions still have the chance of overturning the 3-2 defeat in the second leg in Banjul in two week's time.

With the support of the home crowd, the boys can achieve the desired result in Banjul and proceed to Rwanda to begin the defence of their title next year.