The victory serves a perfect start for the Scorpions in Group F, and a boost to their chances of making the finals of the continent's showpiece event for the first time in  history. The Gambia streaked into an 2-0 lead through early goals by Sainey Nyassi and Momodou Ceesay and when Ousman Jallow slotted in the third goal after 32 minutes the game was as good as over. Namibia pushed hard in the second half and created some half-chances, but their only reward came a minute from full time when Wilko Risser scored with a header. The convincing result means the Scorpions will head to Burkina Faso on October 10 for their first away fixture as Group F leaders.

Playing in front of a near capacity crowd of thousands of people including the Vice President and minister of Women's Affairs Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, who deputised for the President Sheikh Professor Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, the odds were against Namibia from the start and it didn't help much when the rain came teeming down shortly before the start of the match.

Gambia, who were better in all departments, adapted better to the wet and slippery conditions and took the lead on 8th minutes when Aziz Nyang collected a perfect pass from Ousman Jallow and beat Jamu Ngatjizeko on the right flank before sending in a cross to an unmarked Sainey Nyassi who headed in at the far post.Barely three minutes later Gambia went 2-0 ahead when defender Hartman Toromba failed to clear a cross and Momodou Ceesay scored from close range after a neat work from strike partner Ousman Jallow.

The Brondby forward later recorded his name on the score sheet when he made it 3-0 in the 32nd minutes after being connected by Momodou Ceesay. Jallow's first attempt came off a Namibian defender whose clearance later generously landed before Ceesay who sent it in for Jallow to slam the ball into the net to end the first interval on high note. Fresh from break, the Namibians started to attack more, with their Germany-based forward Wilko Risser making his presence felt up front while Tangeni Shipahu put in some good attacks down the right wing.

But it was the home side who should have added their tally when Mustapha (Toubabou) Jarju broke free into the visitors’ box but goalkeeper Athiel Mbaha made a great point blank save to deny the Belgium-based midfielder. With a minute remaining, Namibia won a free-kick and the African Stars FC midfielder Quinton Jacobs passed to Edward Asino on the right wing who sent in a cross that Wilko Risser met with a fine header into the net. The stoppage time goal came too late too little for the visitors who now face an uphill task in their hopes for qualification in the 2012 Gabon-Equatorial Guinea finals.