Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet has admitted to being proud of his team after they scored late to defeat South Sudan 3-2 in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture on Wednesday.

Substitute Hamza Barry scored in the sixth minute of added time as Gambia emerged winners in the five-goal thriller, and keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the final in Ivory Coast.

South Sudan had rallied twice from a goal down to draw 2-2 with a 91st-minute goal from Peter Chol, but Barry’s goal late on saw The Scorpions earn victory and move second in Group G with nine points, three clear of Congo who play leaders Mali in the other group match.

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Gambia’s resilience to grind out the win elated Saintfiet, who took to his social media pages to write: “Proud of my Team! Tough match but with a 2-3 win against South Sudan, we are on track to write more history!”

In the fixture at Suez Canal Stadium, It was the visiting Gambian side, who took a deserved lead with only four minutes played when under pressure defender Rehan Angier scored into his own net but Valentino Yuel, who features for Aluminium Arak levelled matters for South Sudan in the 21st minute.

Ablie Jallow, who features for Ligue 2 club Metz, then scored to put Gambia ahead in the 62nd minute but at the stroke of full time, South Sudan drew level when Chol Peter Bentiu Daniel scored past Baboucarr Gaye to give his side some hope of earning a vital point.

However, substitute Barry scored to win the closely-fought contest. Gambia will now host Congo in their next fixture on September 4, the same day South Sudan will visit Mali at Stade du 26 Mars.