Gambia faces Comoros on Friday in a crucial Group A clash of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers at Stade Municipal de Berkane. With only a single point separating the two sides, the stakes could not be higher as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the tournament.
The two sides last met in a tightly contested encounter that ended 1-1, leaving both teams with everything to play for in this penultimate round of qualifiers.
Johnny McKinstry’s Gambia side took a significant step towards AFCON qualification in October with their first victory of the campaign.
However, with just two matches left, the team must secure wins against both Comoros and Tunisia to keep their hopes alive.
McKinstry knows the pressure is on, especially given the tight nature of Group A.
Home advantage, a key factor in any qualification race, may elude Gambia in this game, potentially complicating their path to the tournament.
Victory would mark a significant milestone for the Scorpions, who are chasing qualification for their third consecutive AFCON appearance.
Comoros, nicknamed Les Coelacantes, remain a formidable force in the group, sitting just one point behind leaders Tunisia.
Last month, they demonstrated their resilience with a stunning away win over Tunisia, courtesy of Rafiki Said’s goal, before settling for a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.
A win against Gambia would put Comoros on the brink of an AFCON berth, a remarkable feat for a team that only made its tournament debut in 2021.
Achieving qualification for a second time would cement their place as one of the continent’s rising football powers.
Gambia XI:Jaluu; Jallow, Omar, Adams, Barrow; Jatta, Gomez, Touray; Gaye, Manneh, Sowe
Comoros XI:Pandor; Boura, Abdallah, Selemani, Mchamgama; Said, M’Dahoma, Bourhane; Bakari, Youssouf, Omari
Group A remains one of the most competitive in the qualifiers, with every match proving decisive.
Comoros’ unbeaten record in the group has set them apart as a tough opponent, but Gambia’s determination to secure a top-two finish adds an extra layer of intensity to this encounter.
Friday’s match promises to be a gripping showdown, with both sides fully aware that a win could be the difference between success and heartbreak in their quest for AFCON 2025 qualification.
