A 4-1
thrashing and a humiliating 6-2 on aggregate is more than enough to end what
could best be described as a disastrous culmination to the Scorpions qualifying
campaign for South Africa 2013.
Two goals from Algerian striker Islam Slimani, and one each from Foued Kadir and El Arbi Hillel Soudani gave Algeria an emphatic 4-1 dumping of Gambia out of the competition in a June 15, 2012 second leg encounter in Algiers.
Gambia’s
Scorpions went into the game on the back of a 2-1 lost to Algeria’s Fennecs (Desert) Foxes in Banjul during a February 29 first
leg preliminary rounds.
On Friday, Gambia and Algeria went
head to head in Algiers on the back of away defeats to Tanzania and Mali in the
2nd group matches for the Brazil 2014 Fifa world cup qualifiers.
The Algerians took the game to the
Gambians as soon as the central referee blew his whistle, scoring in under one
minute through Foued Kadir. His teammate
Islam Slimani secured his first and the second goal for Algeria when he
volleyed into Gambia’s post in the 5th minute.
While all hopes was not lost,
Gambian midfielder, Saihou Gassama saw his powerful long range shot unstoppable
into the Algerian post to make it 2-1 in the first half.
As soon as play resumes, the
Algerians extended the lead two minutes into the second half when Mr. Slimani
scored his 2nd and Algeria’s 3rd goal in the night.
However, the thrashing was settled following El Arbi Hillel Soudani’s 65th
minute strike.
Algeria will now progress to the
Group stages being the final round of Afcon 2013.
Gambia’s participation has been
marred by reports of divisions within the squad, poor travelling arrangements
and unpaid match bonuses.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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