Five-star Gambia hammer South Sudan to reach semi-final

Adama Bojang scored a hat-trick for Gambia to romp to an emhpatic 5-0 victory over South Sudan on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Young Scorpions also qualified for the U20 World Cup to be played in Indonesia this year thanks to the win that steered them to the last four.

The West Africans were on terrific goal scoring form at the El Hodoud Stadium with Bojang sealing his hat-trick by the 47th minute.

Defensive duo Moses Jarju and Mahmud Bajo were also on the scoresheet for the two-time bronze medalists.

Gambia started very strong in Alexandria with Salifu Colley, who was named the TotalEnergies Man of the Match, coming close inside five minutes at the El Hodoud Stadium.

The Real de Banjul playmaker latched onto Bojang's side footed ball before firing straight at Godwill Yogusuk Sabio.

The Gambia found the breakthrough on seven minutes through the Steve Biko forward Bojang who fired just inside the area.

Bojang, who came into the TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON in terrific goalscoring form for his club, latched onto a long ball from captain Alagie Saine before slotting past Godwill Yogusuk.

Debutants South Sudan were forced to make an early substitution when Safino Lado came in for the injured Mabior Achiek but the substitution did not help matters.

Gambia continued to dominate and create chances against the rattled Bright Stars. Adama Bojang headed Haruna Rasid Njie's brilliant delivery wide with the goal at his mercy.

The pacey striker came close to doubling his tally midway through the first half but his effort was smoothed by Godwill Yogusuk as he tried to round the keeper.

The Bright Stars forward Abishai flashed a shot over Pa Ebou Dampha's goal when South Sudan had a rare opportunity behind the Gambian defence.

Fortune FC defender Moses Jarju made it 2-0 with a glancing header from Salifu Colley's corner to beat Godwill Yogusuk at the far post with 28 minutes on the clock.

Adama Bojang saw his close range effort saved by the busy Godwill Yogusuk before Modou Marong found the back of the net but was flagged offside on the half hour mark.

Bojang swept in a brilliant Gambian attack to make it 3-0 for the Young Scorpions. Cape Town City winger Kajally Drammeh danced into the area before picking the unmarked Bojang at the far post.

The Gambia came back from the break with more intent to increase their advantage and they made it 4-0 two minutes after the restart through Bojang for his hat-trick.

South Sudan goalkeeper Yogusuk was punished for failing to clear a long ball allowing Bojang to guide home his effort into an unguarded goal.

The Gambia coach Abdoulie Bojang reshuffled his team with a couple of changes as they look to rest some of the players for the semi-finals against the record champions Nigeria.

Substitutes Alieu Gibba and Muhammed Sawaneh combined for the fifth goal which was scored by defensive midfielder Mahmud Bajo.

The Gambia join their neighbours Senegal as the only teams to win all their matches without conceding a goal and also seal places at the semis and the World Cup.