The Scorpions of Gambia on Thursday lost 2-1 to Morocco in a lively friendly international played at Kinetra Stadium,Rabat.

Mustapha Carayol scored the lone goal for Gambia in the 30th minute from a spot kick to cancel the early lead taken by Morocco team in the 10th minute of the first stanza.

Gambia, who are preparing for the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, exhibited an underwhelming first half performance against the physical Moroccans, with Sulayman Marreh fluffing two chances in the 35th and 42th minute after being put clear by midfielder Tijan Jaiteh .

At the second stanza hour mark, Hafidi Abdelliah put the Atlas Lions ahead from a well taken penalty to make it 2-1.

The Scorpions, urged forward by infamous coach Song Dong, pressed hard in search of an equaliser and Carayol found herself in a good position to score but was dispossessed just outside the goal mouth.

The Scorpions appeared fatigued towards the end of the seconf half and were saved by the cross bar when Yousuffa Njie sent a screamer homewards from outside the box in the 78th minute.

The Gambia begins the 2019 African Nations Cup qualifiers at home to Benin in Port Novo in June, 2017.