AFCON Prelims 2023: Gambia Advances Alongside 5 Others

Sao Tome, South Sudan, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and the Gambia advanced from the return leg of the playoffs in the AFCON 2023 prelims.

The last ticket was snatched by Gambia from Chad on Tuesday March 29.

There was no miracle for Mauritius and Djibouti beaten in the first leg respectively by Sao Tome (0-1) and South Sudan (0-3).

Mauritius had thought they could make it for a while after the opener by Kevin Bru at the 26th minute, in the reversed fixture, before Cardoso equalized. The tie ended (3-3) and automatically eliminated Mauritius.

Djibouti will also have to fight another day. After the defeat in the first leg, the Djiboutians only limited damage against the South Sudanese by losing (1-0) in the reverse fixture. 5-2 in ended on aggregate.

Lesotho on her part outclassed Seychelles (3-1) after sharing the spoils in the first leg (0-0).

Eswatini confirmed its superiority in the first leg that ended 3-0 in their favour, by beating Somalia once again (2-1).

The Gambia escaped a scare from Chad.

Ahmat Abderamane put Chad ahead but it was short-lived as Assan Ceesay equalised.

Chad regained the lead soon after half-time through Ezechiel N’Douassel, and the 2-1 score line looked set to eliminate The Gambia on the away goals rule.

However, Scorpions forward Ceesay netted from the spot to ensure Tom Saintfiet’s side went through to the next round. 3-2 it ended on aggregate.

Botswana qualified after Eritrea declared a general forfeit for the game.