Gambia out to ignite Afcon hopes

Monday Oct 15, 2018. 17:30

Gambia welcome Group D rivals Togo in a crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Independence Stadium in Bakau on Tuesday, as both teams aim to keep their hopes of reaching next year's showpiece alive.

Kick-off is at 18h30 CAT (SA, GMT+2).

The Scorpions were on course for all three points in the reverse fixture in Lome on Friday, only for Steeve Denkey to rescue a point for the hosts with a late goal at the Stade Municipal.

Switzerland-based Assan Ceesay opened the scoring for Gambia on rain-drenched pitch, but despite a positive showing from Tom Saintfiet's troops, they were unable to hold on for a memroable win.

The two teams are locked on two points apiece after three rounds of fixtures.

Gambia lost 1-0 away to Benin before holding group favourites Algeria to a 1-1 draw in their most recent home match. The Sparrow-hawks lost 1-0 away to the Fennec Foxes before a 0-0 stalemate at home to the Squirrels in their two other matches.

Togo are set to be without talisman Emmanuel Adebayor once more. The former Arsenal forward reportedly refused to play against Gambia due to the state of the pitch in Lome and has according to reports not travelled to Bakau.

Victory for either in Gambia will re-ignte their hopes of reaching Cameroon ahead of the fifth round of fixtures next month.

Gambia occupy 171st place on the latest FIFA World Rankings, Togo sit in 123rd place.