Wrexham star Jacob Mendy marked his African Cup of Nations debut with a dismal error which proved costly in a 1-0 defeat to Guinea on Friday.
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- Mendy missed an interception before the goal
- Gambia can only qualify as a best third-placed team
- Hopes of progression hanging by a thread
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Mendy made his first appearance in the tournament for Gambia on Friday night, in a game that his country really needed to win. Having lost to Senegal in their opening match, Gambia needed a victory to have any chance of progressing as either group winners or runners-up.
However, Mendy missed an interception in the build-up to Aguibou Camara's goal in the 69th minute that gave Guinea all three points.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The AFCON does allow third-placed teams to qualify for the knockout stages, with the four best third-placed teams progressing. Gambia can still qualify through that path, but they would need to beat Cameroon on the final matchday of the group stage, on Tuesday, and hope that three points is enough for progression.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Mendy has been a key player for Wrexham this season, playing as a right-back and a left-back, and has made 19 appearances in League Two. He has scored two goals and registered five assists in that time.