Congo made amends from their opening day loss in the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Wednesday after pipping Gambia 1-0 in Brazzaville.
The Red Devils revive their qualification chances by claiming a vital 1-0 victory to go level on points with Gambia with leaders Mali facing South Sudan later on.
Gambia boss Tom Saintfiet named an unchanged squad from their narrow victory over South Sudan a few days ago with Assan Ceesay, Ablie Jallow, Musa Barrow, Ebrimah Darboe all making the start list.
Baboucarr Gaye retained his position between the sticks for the Scorpions. He hasn’t looked back ever since taking the number one spot at the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon.
Congo head coach Paul Put made wholesale changes to the team that were thumped 4-0 by Mali in the first round match in Bamako last Saturday.
Pavelh Ndzila was preferred to Christoffer Mafoumbi in the goalposts whereas Thievy Bifouma, Ravy Tsouka Dozi and Guy Carel Mbenza who were the only retained players in the starting list.
The first period of the encounter was balanced as both teams got 50 percent each of the entire ball possession. Both teams failed to register a single shot on target from the numerous goal attempts.
The Red Devils found the back of the net despite being dominated by the Gambians slightly with a sumptuous strike from Makoumbou.
Makoumbou was set up by Vieljeux Mboungou to put Congo ahead in the match in the 74th minute in what turned out to be the winner.
(CAF)
