Gambia out to deny Benin, keep slim Afcon hopes alive

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Nov 14, 2018. 18:00

Gambia will be aiming to keep their hopes of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification alive when they welcome Benin to the Independence Stadium in Bakau on Saturday evening.

Kick-off is at 18h30 CAT.

The Scorpions currently occupy last place in Group D having conjured a mere two points from four qualifiers.

Gambia held group favourites Algeria to a 1-1 draw back in September, but a 1-1 stalemate away to Togo was followed by a demoralising 1-0 defeat in Bakau to the same opponents a few days later.

Head coach Tom Saintfiet is set to hand the trio of Muhammed Mbaye, Ebrima Colley and Bubacarr Jobe their international debuts

The Belgian, though, will be without the notable names of Modou Barrow, Mustapha Carayol, Omar Colley, Hamza Barry and Bubacarr Steve Trawally, as they aim to reignite their Afcon hopes.

Victory for Benin could seal their place at next year's showpiece depending on what happens between Algeria and Togo in Lome, with the Squirrels to play host to the Togolese in an potential humdinger next March.

Stéphane Sessègnon scored the only goal of the game for Benin in a 1-0 win over Gambia in the reverse fixture played in Cotonou last year.