In group A of the 13th African Games, Ghana, the hosts, defeated The Gambia 3-1 on Tuesday night at the Accra Sports Stadium to win the boys’ football category for the first time.

The hosts scored a goal through Azizi Musibau, Abdul Azizi Issa, and fantastic substitute Jerry Afriyie.

Cesay Ebrima withdrew the solace for the Gambian team, which made a valiant return.

At the quarter-hour mark, Musibau handed the Satelites the early advantage.

Three minutes into the second half, Abdul Azizi added the second to give his team a 2-0 lead.

During the last 19 minutes of the match, the left-footed player watched in shock as the goalkeeper blocked his penalty kick.

Ebrima’s goal for The Gambia in the 82nd minute caused tension in the match.

Once Afriyie scored Ghana’s third goal to secure the maximum number of points from the match, the worry lines that had been drawn over the faces of many Ghanaian fans were removed, and the tension subsided.

Gambia’s Head Coach, Abdoulie Bojang, acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, admitting, “Tactically we are not organized. We considered cheap goals, especially the second and the third goal could have been avoided but overall I think the Ghanaian team were the better side.”

After the first goalless draw with Congo last week, Ghana has now collected four points from two games.

In the early kickoff on Tuesday, Congo also got their second final matchup versus Benin.

Ghana will play Benin in the last group game. Congo will take on an injured Gambia.

Uganda, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Sudan’s second team in group B, who have already qualified, will play the winner of this pool (A).

Senegal and Nigeria are tied for second place with three points apiece.

On Friday, March 15, 2024, Uganda, who defeated Senegal (1-0) and Nigeria (2-1), will play South Sudan, their neighbors, to close up the group.