While 24th Gold Coast Brigade marched south from Mabungo to attack the Italians at Jelib and 22nd East African Brigade set off toward Mogadishu, 23rd Nigerian Brigade crossed the river to take up defense of the bridgehead. Soon afterwards, fresh troops from the recently-mobilized 101st Somali Division attempted to drive them over the river and isolate the two other African brigades on the wrong side of the Juba.

The Nigerians were ready for the attack, and met the Italian Colonials with heavy fire. The Somalis went forward repeatedly but even with the aid of the gathering darkness could not break into Mabungo or threaten the pontoon bridge over the Juba. Lacking the transport to bring up fresh supplies or reinforcements, the 101st Division could not renew the attack. Sector commander Carlo de Simone ordered the division to withdraw to the north and join in the defense of southern Abyssinia.