Gambia beat Mali, back in race

Champions Gambia rose from the dead to beat Mali 1-0 and in the process revive their hopes in the ongoing African Under-17 football Championships here Wednesday.

The star of this Group B match staged at the Umuganda Stadium in Gisenyi (on the Rwanda/DR Congo border) was Dawda Sarr who headed home a 35th minute cross.

The match was played on a waterlogged pitch after a heavy first half downpour Gambia, who started the tournament on soar note losing 0-3 to Congo Brazzaville on Sunday should have increased the tally in the second half but captain Buba Jallow had his effort saved from the line by Madibo Konte after he had rounded off goalkeeper Bubacarr Sanyang.

Mali, 1-2 losers to Cote d?Ivore in their first match should have salvaged a point but Fammoussa Kone was foiled by Bubaccar in injury time.

Congo and Cote d?Ivore who drew 2-2 in an early match at the same venue lead the group on four points each with Gambia third on three. With four of the eight teams chasing World Cup slots, only hosts Rwanda who are playing in the Kigali-based Group A have confirmed their trip while pointless Mali and Senegal are out of the running.