The Gambia won the African U17 title in Algeria two years ago
The Gambia revived hopes of defending their African Under-17 crown when beating Mali 1-0 on Wednesday in Rwanda.
The victory, achieved thanks to Sali Youssouf Daouda Sarr's 35th-minute strike, takes the Baby Scorpions off the bottom of Group B thanks to a much-needed three points.
Congo Brazzaville and Ivory Coast, who ground out a 2-2 draw earlier in the day, both boast four points, with the Congolese leading on goal difference.
Ivory Coast's Stephane Bedi grabbed an equaliser from the penalty spot deep into injury time, after Congo's Jim-Fel Lekadza fouled Lionel Lago in the box before being shown the red card.
Bedi, who had pulled a goal back after Congo took a 2-0 advantage, now leads the scoring charts at the tournament with three goals.
The result at the Umuganda Stadium was a huge blow to the Congolese who needed to hang on for a win that would have seen them qualify for June's Fifa U17 World Cup in Mexico.
They took the lead in the 27th minute when Sitou Bhinief struck home from a rebound, before Stevy Epako made it 2-0 after 53 minutes curled the ball past substitute goalkeeper Aboubakar Ouanttara.
As a result, the two sides must until Saturday, when the Ivorians play The Gambia and Congo take on Mali, to know who qualifies for the World Cup from this group.
All the matches in Group B are being played in the western town of Gisenyi.
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