Tunisia secures victory over Gambia in hard-fought AFCON 2025 qualifier
Tunisia has continued their strong start to the AFCON 2025 qualifiers with a 2-1 victory over Gambia at the El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco. Following a narrow 1-0 win against Madagascar in Tunis just days prior, the Carthage Eagles once again showed their resilience, overcoming a tenacious Gambia side to maintain a perfect record in Group A.
🚨 L’ouverture du score d’ALI ABDI avant l’égalisation gambienne. 🇹🇳🔥 #GAMBTUN | #AFCONQ2025 pic.twitter.com/ziucaW4HKi
— Noussour 🇹🇳 (@NoussourTN) September 8, 2024
Tunisia took control early in the match, dictating the pace with sustained possession.
Despite Gambia’s initial attacking efforts, including an early corner in the 4th minute, it was Tunisia who drew first blood.
In the 11th minute, Ali Abdi, left-back for OGC Nice, capitalized on a free-kick situation, heading home after Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane’s initial effort was parried by the Gambian defense.
The early goal put Tunisia ahead 1-0.
Le but gambien. 🧐 pic.twitter.com/NybDwVBQz6
— Noussour 🇹🇳 (@NoussourTN) September 8, 2024
Gambia, however, wasted little time in responding. Just three minutes after Tunisia’s opener, Ali Sowe leveled the score for the Scorpions.
The forward, currently on loan at Rizespor, finished off a chaotic sequence inside the Tunisian penalty area.
After a clever run by a teammate that dismantled Tunisia’s backline, Sowe took full advantage to slot the ball past Amanallah Memmiche, bringing the game to 1-1 in the 14th minute.
Buoyed by the equalizer, Gambia pushed forward with renewed confidence.
Musa Barrow came close to putting Gambia ahead in the 19th minute with a powerful shot from a tight angle, forcing a save from Memmiche.
🚨 MOHAMED ALI BEN ROMDHANE permet à la TUNISIE de revenir devant ! 🇹🇳#GAMTUN | #AFCONQ2025 pic.twitter.com/OlxwD1rZaK
— Noussour 🇹🇳 (@NoussourTN) September 8, 2024
Tunisia, though maintaining possession, struggled to regain their rhythm.
Hamza Rafia missed a good opportunity in the 22nd minute after receiving a well-placed pass from the left, sending his shot wide of the mark.
Gambia continued to test Tunisia’s defense, with Alieu Fadera nearly giving his side the lead when his curling effort narrowly missed Memmiche’s left post in the 29th minute.
Tunisia, meanwhile, was plagued by their own inefficiencies in front of goal.
Ferjani Sassi squandered multiple chances, including a header from a free-kick in the 34th minute and a long-range effort that failed to find the target.
Gambia nearly took the lead on the stroke of half-time.
A lightning-fast counter-attack saw Yankuba Minteh break free in the Tunisian box, but the opportunity was wasted, leaving the score level at the break.
In the second half, Tunisia tightened up defensively and resumed their control of the game.
Gambia, now sitting deeper in their own half, relied on counter-attacks to create danger, but Tunisia’s possession dominance kept them on the back foot.
Despite creating few clear-cut chances, Tunisia continued to press for a winner.
Haithem Jouini’s soft header from close range in the 58th minute was easily saved by Gambian goalkeeper Sheikh Sibi.
The breakthrough for Tunisia finally came in the 75th minute.
Raed Bouchniba delivered a perfect back pass to Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, who struck a clinical low shot into the corner of the net, giving Tunisia a 2-1 lead.
It was a well-worked goal that rewarded Tunisia’s persistence and patience in attack.
Gambia launched a series of late attacks in search of an equalizer, but Tunisia held firm, securing a vital three points.
With this victory, Tunisia now sits comfortably atop Group A with six points from their opening two matches.
The win solidifies Tunisia’s position as the early leaders in Group A of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, with Gambia trailing in second place.
Tunisia will now turn their attention to future challenges, confident in their ability to navigate this qualifying campaign.
Meanwhile, Gambia will look to regroup ahead of their next match, knowing they came close to upsetting one of Africa’s footballing giants.
Tunisia’s ability to grind out results under pressure has been a hallmark of their campaign so far, and with six points from two matches, they are well on course for qualification.
