Ablie Jallow’s strike in added time’s third minute on Thursday in Limbe gave the Gambia a dramatic 1-0 win against Tunisia at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

Despite the result, both teams are guaranteed places in round 16 of the competition, even though it was an ending Tunisia did not like.

Gambia ended the game being leapfrogged for the top spot in Group F by Mali on goals difference and will now face Guinea.

Mali had beaten Mauritania 2-0 in the group’s other match, and they will play Equatorial Guinea in the round of 16, while third-placed Tunisia will face Nigeria.

A relatively uneventful game in the main saw plenty of goalscoring chances but few of note.

Tunisia’s Ali Abdi went closest in the early stages as he cut inside from the left and saw his deflected shot fly just wide of the near post.

Ellyes Skhiri fired wide of the far stick with a well-hit effort in the 41st minute.

But shortly after, Tunisia had a penalty kick when Pa Modou tripped Seifeddine Jaziri.

Tunisia had missed their first two penalty kicks of this tournament, which became three when Jaziri saw his kick saved well down to his right by Baboucarr Gaye.

When the half-time whistle came, it came with ill-tempered reactions by both teams as they headed off the pitch.

This led to referee Fernando Ramirez producing a red card to Tunisia’s substitute goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha.

In the second half, the Gambia showed more intent, with Jallow firing wide before Musa Barrow hit the woodwork with a fierce free-kick.

But it took until the closing seconds of stoppage time for the deadlock to be broken as Jallow took down a cross from the left.

He fired the ball hard and high past Bechir Ben Said to win it for the Scorpions.

(NAN)