Abdoulie Ceesay’s first half header from a Musa Barrow cross was the difference as the Gambia wrapped up its AFCON qualifiers with a 1-0 win in Tunis.
On his full international debut for the Gambia, Mahmudu Bajo was awarded the Unique Group Man of the Match award in our 1-0 win over Tunisia in Rades on Monday.
Bajo worked tirelessly in midfield and assistant coach Alhagie Sarr was given the honour to present the latest electronic equipment provided by the sponsors to him.
The Scorpions of Gambia pulled off a stunning result at the Stade Olympique de Rades, with Abdoulie Ceesay’s first-ever international goal sealing a 1-0 victory against hosts Tunisia. The result, a shock to many, underscored Gambia’s resilience and determination as they finished their campaign on a high note.
The decisive moment came in the 17th minute. Gambia’s talisman, Musa Barrow, displayed his creative brilliance by threading a perfectly timed through ball past Tunisia’s defense. Ceesay, showing impeccable composure, latched onto the pass and slotted it coolly into the bottom corner, leaving Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen stranded.
Despite the early setback, Tunisia regrouped and controlled much of the game thereafter. The hosts dominated possession, weaving intricate passes and bombarding the Gambian defense with waves of attacks. However, Gambia’s backline, led by captain Omar Colley, stood firm, repelling every Tunisian effort.
The second half saw the Eagles of Carthage ramp up their offensive pressure, but they struggled to break through the compact Gambian defense. Coach Johnny McKinstry’s tactical discipline ensured the Scorpions held their shape, frustrating the Tunisian frontline.
As the final whistle blew, Tunisia’s qualification hopes remained intact, but they had to settle for second place in the group behind Comoros, whose consistent performances throughout the qualifiers had earned them the top spot.
For Abdoulie Ceesay, the night was one to remember. His maiden international goal not only gave Gambia a historic win over Tunisia but also highlighted his potential as a rising star for the Scorpions.
The Gambian contingent celebrated the victory with pride, cherishing the hard-fought three points in Rades. Meanwhile, Tunisia, despite the loss, will look to regroup ahead of the next stage.
As the curtains draw on the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Tunisia hosts Gambia in a match that, while carrying little consequence in the standings, still promises a captivating battle of pride and ambition. With Gambia already out of the running for qualification, this encounter serves as the final chapter of the group—and a chance for both sides to make a lasting impression.
For Tunisia, the Carthage Eagles enter the match in a commanding position, having already secured top spot in the group and their ticket to the tournament. Their campaign has been a showcase of consistency and dominance, and they now aim to wrap it up in style in front of their passionate home fans. With nothing to lose, Tunisia could experiment with their lineup while still pushing for a polished performance that reinforces their credentials as a team to watch in the tournament.
Gambia, on the other hand, approaches the match with a different mindset. Sitting third in the group, their hopes of advancing are out of reach, but their pride remains very much at stake. For the Scorpions, this is an opportunity to challenge one of Africa’s footballing giants and prove they can hold their own against elite opposition. A win or even a spirited performance would provide a boost of morale and a foundation to build upon for the future.
While the stakes may not involve qualification, the intensity of African football ensures no match is taken lightly. Gambia’s determination to cause an upset will be matched by Tunisia’s desire to deliver an entertaining and professional performance. The atmosphere at the stadium is expected to be electric.
As the two teams prepare to take the field, the focus shifts from points and standings to pride and momentum. For Tunisia, it’s about maintaining their momentum and showing their class. For Gambia, it’s a chance to make a statement and leave the competition on a high note. Both teams have something to prove, and when the whistle blows, all eyes will be on the pitch.
The match will be televised on several channels, including beIN Sports 2 and beIN Sports Xtra
In a tightly contested match, Madagascar and Tunisia delivered a thrilling 3-2 showdown, with Tunisia edging out a win that brought them within reach of AFCON qualification. Tunisia struck first, with Hamza Rafia finding the net in the 6th minute, setting a fast pace that left Madagascar scrambling to respond. However, the hosts fought back with intensity, and their pressure forced an own goal from Tunisia’s Memmiche in the 20th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.
Refusing to be rattled, Tunisia quickly regained their lead as Ltaief slotted home a goal, making it 2-1. But Madagascar was not finished yet. In first-half injury time, Amada rose to the occasion, scoring a dramatic equalizer in the 45+3 minute to end the first half at 2-2.
The second half saw both teams locked in a tense battle, with neither able to break the deadlock until the final moments. Then, in the dying minutes, Tunisia’s Abdi delivered the heartbreaking blow, netting the decisive goal to secure a 3-2 victory. This win leaves Tunisia just one draw away from sealing their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, while Madagascar faces an uphill battle to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Scorpions Coach Johnathan McKinstry unveiled a strong 24-man Scorpions contingent for this month’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Morocco 2025.
The Gambia will host Comoros in Match Day 5 in Berkane, Morocco, on 15th November, before traveling to Tunis to take on the hosts, Tunisia in the final Match Day of qualification on November 18.
Lying third on the four-team table with five points from four matches, Johnny’s charges still have their destiny in their own hands but may be required to secure all six points to secure a third straight AFCON appearance.
However, a win against Comoros and a point in the final match with Tunisia may still be enough depending on the outcome of the other Group A matches.
The Northern Irishman gave debut callups to Alassana Jatta of Notts County in England, Abubakar Barry of Rapid Vienna and Baboucarr Njie of Oakland County in the United States. Joseph Ceesay, who will miss Match Day 5 due to card accumulation is also included, while Yankuba Minteh will also be fit enough to represent The Gambia in the said matches.
The Brighton & Hove Albion star’s return to full fitness is a welcome boost for the Scorpions, as his pace and trickery would be key for Gambia in the qualifiers.
The forward line is also boosted by the form of the ever present Musa Barrow who is currently enjoying the form of his life in front of goal for his Saudi pro league side Al Taawoun.
Abdoulie ‘Bambalie’ Sanyang returned to the team after recovering from injury, while Mahmudu Bajo also retained his place, as well as Suleiman Camara, who is a regular at Spanish second tier side Racing de Santander and gave a good impression of himself in his debut against Madagascar.
Ali Sowe and Abdoulie Ceesay are the two other strikers in a three attackers included in the squad.
Jumia Technologies AG, Africa’s largest e-commerce platform, has announced plans to cease its operations in South Africa and Tunisia by the end of 2024.
The company, which operated under the brand name Zando in South Africa, made the strategic decision to focus on more promising markets across the continent, including Nigeria, as part of its resource optimisation efforts.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Jumia explained that this move comes after evaluating the performance of its operations in both countries, which contributed minimally to the company’s overall business.
For the year ending December 31, 2023, and the first half of 2024, South Africa and Tunisia represented just 3.5% and 2.7% of total orders and 4.5% and 3.0% of gross merchandise value (GMV), respectively.
Jumia CEO, Francis Dufay, acknowledged the challenging nature of the decision, stating, “Since assuming the role of CEO, I have focused on initiatives aimed at strengthening our business and placing us on a path to profitability.
“After a thorough analysis, we made the difficult decision to close down our operations in South Africa and Tunisia. Both businesses account for a negligible portion of our overall operations.”
Dufay further explained that competitive pressures and macroeconomic factors had limited growth in both markets, falling short of expectations.
He expressed gratitude to the employees, suppliers, and partners in both countries, saying, “Decisions like these are never easy, and we are extremely grateful to team members in both countries, who worked tirelessly to serve our customers every day.”
Jumia believes that reallocating resources to its remaining nine markets across Africa will enhance operational efficiency and foster greater growth.
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Comoros continued their impressive run in the AFCON qualifiers by holding group favorites Tunisia to a 1-1 draw, securing a vital point that strengthens their chances of reaching the tournament in Morocco. This result means Comoros have now taken four points off Tunisia in the group stage, further solidifying their growing reputation as dangerous underdogs.
After a tight first half that ended goalless, the match sprang to life early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Comoros sent a clear message when Faïz Selemani latched onto a well-timed pass to slot the ball past the Tunisian goalkeeper, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. The home supporters erupted in celebration at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast, sensing another upset against their highly-rated opponents.
The early goal seemed to spark Tunisia into action. Desperate to avoid another setback, the Eagles of Carthage upped the pressure, controlling possession and probing the Comoros defense for a way through. The pressure finally paid off in the 68th minute when Tunisia found the equalizer, leveling the game at 1-1.
Both sides pushed for a winning goal in the final stages, with Tunisia launching relentless attacks and Comoros trying to catch them on the counter. However, resolute defending from both teams ensured the scoreline remained unchanged, and the match ended with the two teams sharing the points.
For Comoros, this result feels like a victory. Having already stunned Tunisia earlier in the qualifiers, they now find themselves in a strong position to qualify for the AFCON tournament. The draw boosts their tally in the group and keeps them firmly in contention, much to the delight of their fans .
Tunisia, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have dropped points yet again against Comoros, who have proven to be their nemesis in this campaign. Although the Tunisians remain in a good position to qualify, the result leaves them with little room for complacency in their remaining matches.
As the race for qualification heats up, all eyes will be on Comoros to see if they can complete their remarkable journey and secure a historic place in next year’s tournament. For now, they can celebrate another hard-fought point that keeps their dream alive.
Tunisia and Comoros, two of the top teams in the group, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter. Tunisia, with their experienced lineup, is determined to take a revenge, while Comoros aimed to shock their opponents once again, as they had done in past matches.
The Tunisian lineup featured some of their most seasoned players. At the back, goalkeeper: Memiche, ready to protect the net. He will be supported by defenders Bouchniba, Talbi, Merieh, and Ben Hmida, forming a solid wall in front of him. The midfield will be commanded by the ever-reliable Skhiri, along with the creative talents of Msakni, Rafia, and the dynamic Mejbri. Laidouni, known for his box-to-box energy.while the dangerous striker Jaziri will spearhead their attack.
On the other side, Comoros, a team with a growing reputation for causing upsets, lines up confidently. Pandor in goal, hoping to repeat his heroics from past encounters. Yossouf, Omari, and M’dahoma are tasked with keeping Tunisia’s attackers at bay, while Bourhane and Selemani adds strength to the midfield. Mohamed, Boura, and Said provides width and pace on the flanks, with Bakari and the lethal Moalida looking to pounce on any opportunity that comes their way.
Comoros will host Tunisia at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two determined sides. With memories of their stunning victory over Tunisia still fresh, the Comoros team will enter the match full of belief, knowing they have what it takes to upset their more illustrious opponents once again.
Comoros, who are steadily earning a reputation as “Giant-slayers,” have been one of the most exciting stories in African football. Their victory in Tunis sent shockwaves across the continent, leaving Tunisia wounded and desperate for redemption. The Coelacanths, however, understand that this rematch will be a much sterner test. Tunisia will come at them with everything, determined to reclaim their dominance and avoid further embarrassment.
While Comoros is riding high on confidence, they are aware that Tunisia—like a wounded lion—will be hungry for revenge. Coach Stefano Cusin has emphasized the need for a cautious but bold approach, urging his players to remain disciplined at the back while looking for quick opportunities on the counter.
Tunisia, sitting at the top of the group, knows this match is critical to maintaining their leadership. After suffering an unexpected defeat at home, the Eagles of Carthage will approach the fixture with heightened focus and intensity. Coach Faouzi Benzarti is expected to field an attacking lineup, with the aim of asserting control early and forcing Comoros onto the back foot.
Adding to the intrigue is the venue—the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast, which serves as Comoros’ adopted home ground. While the stadium may not offer the same home-field advantage as playing in Moroni, the Coelacanths have adapted well to their circumstances, using adversity to fuel their growing momentum.
The encounter also carries major implications for both teams’ AFCON qualification campaigns. With Tunisia leading the group and Comoros closely behind in second place, the outcome of this match could play a decisive role in determining who finishes at the summit. A win for Tunisia would solidify their position and likely guarantee qualification, while a victory for Comoros would not only keep their dream alive but also cement their status as a rising force in African football.
Fans across the continent are eager to see how this captivating narrative unfolds. Will Tunisia reassert their dominance, or will Comoros pull off another upset and continue their giant-slaying journey? All eyes are set on the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium as the two sides prepare for what promises to be an unforgettable clash. Match will be played at 7:00 PM GMT.
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