Mauritania vs Gambia Predictions

• Gambia came through a tough qualifying group that included DR Congo, Angola and Gabon.
• Mauritania had a dreadful 2021, taking just two points from six World Cup qualifying matches.
• Assan Ceesay has scored 11 in 17 Swiss Super League games for FC Zurich in 2021-22 and six in his last seven Gambia appearances.

Scorpions have armoury to take debut win  

Gambia look to hold the value in the match result market for Wednesday’s Group F clash with Mauritania in Limbe. The Scorpions are a battle-hardened unit after coming through one of the toughest qualifying groups to make it through to their first AFCON finals.

Tom Saintfiet’s side have a strong spine and the nous of several experienced players that have shone in Serie A, such as Omar Colley and Musa Barrow. But the real ace up Saintfiet’s sleeve could be FC Zurich marksman Assan Ceesay.

The 27-year-old is a classic goal poacher who has the instincts to find the right position for a chance – and the ability to finish them off as his 11 in 17 Swiss top-flight games attests. Ceesay is rated a 2/1 chance to score anytime in this opener and looks worthy of support given Mauritania’s defensive struggles of late.

Mauritania’s misadventures stretch back to last summer

The Lions of Chinguetti shipped 11 goals in their six World Cup qualifiers last year and another seven in three games at the Arab Cup tournament, during which they were thrashed 5-1 by a young Tunisian side.

Gambia’s defensive record away from home isn’t particularly great, leaving scope for a both teams to score bet in this opener, but Mauritania’s bleak recent form and Gambia’s excitement at finally getting to play in this tournament has us leaning towards a win for the AFCON debutants.

A 2-0 success is taken in correct score betting because Mauritania have conceded an average of 2.2 goals a game in competitive matches played over the last six months.