Y/Africans Unbeaten Run Ends

Brikama united

By Mandu Sanneh

Y/Africans unbeaten run ended on Saturday after been beaten by Brikama United at the Serrekunda East, in the eighth week of the Gambia’s first football flight.

The victory brought Brikama back to the top of the league table after a draw against Bakau United in the week seven at the Box Bar, which saw Wallidan moved up to their place.

Ansumana Jorbateh’s 10 minute goal was enough to give Brikama the victory and regained their top spot back as Wallidan shared the spoil with Real de Banjul in a goalless draw on the same day at the Banjul mini Stadium.

Other games

GPA won Interior by 2-1 at the Serrekunda  West mini Stadium with goals from David Sambou and Pa Saikou Jallow for GPA and Wally Changi for Interior.

On Sunday, Steve Biko drew one-all with Gamtel FC at the Serrekunda East mini Stadium. Samger moved two points up after managing a goalless draw against Africel while A/Forces defeated  Bakau United by 2-0 at the Banjul mini stadium.

The table standing

Brikama United 18 points, Wallidan 17 points, A/Forces 15 points, Real de Banjul and Bakau United 12 points,  Y/Africans 11 points, Gamtel FC and GPA 10 points, Samger FC 7 points, Africel FC and Steve Biko 5 points, and Interior FC 3 points.

Nyassi Attributes Draw to Sun Heat

Alhagie Nyassi

By Mandu Sanneh

Alagie Nyassi, the head coach of Tallinding United, a club in the Gambia’s second division on Sunday attributed his team’s goalless draw against Lamin FC to the heat of the sun reflected on players during the game on the pitch.

“3 o’clock games are not easy to play,” Nyassi said after his team’s draw at the Serrekunda East mini stadium during the week seven of the GFA second division league.

Though his side have numerous goal chances to score during the game, Nyassi said he will take the draw in good faith and prepare for his up coming game, which is to be Serrekunda United to register a victory.

“Winning was difficult for my side because three O’ clock games is not easy to play, u see how hot the sun is, and we are not use to it which affected my side.” Nyassi said.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed coach of Lamin FC Lamin Kagbo, who came to the team after the departure of Tony Awih, also said three 3 o’clock is not a convenient time for a team to play.

“I am new in the team and I and the team have a lot more to do as playing in the second division is not easy,” he said.

AYC: Cameroon, Nigeria Qualified; Gambia, Ghana Ousted

By Abdoulie Nget

Gambia vs. Nigeria

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Flying Eagles of Nigeria have made it through to the semi final stage of the 2011 Orange CAF youth championship in South Africa after defeating their group B mates: Young Scorpions of Gambia and Starlets of Ghana.

Cameroon and Nigeria do not only book a spot in the semi final of the Africa Youth Championship, but have also joined Mali and Egypt in securing a place in the upcoming FIFA World U-20 youth championship scheduled for July 29-August 20, 2011 in Columbia. Gambia and Ghana hanged their boots for a while.

The Baby Scorpions conceded their first defeat against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon before settling for a one-all draw against Ghana. They suffered a sock defeat against Nigeria in their final game in group B in Milpark Johannesburg, which left them lying at the rock bottom of the  group with one point and one goal scored by Jammeh Baboucarr.

Cameroon now top the group with seven points and three points, followed by Nigeria with 6 points four goals and Ghana third with two points 3 goals.

In group A, Mali and Egypt are the semi finalist, which earned them a place in Columbia come 29 to August 20 later this year in the FIFA world U-20 championship.

Ebrima Cham Aspires to Become a Professional Player

Ebrima Cham

A former Nguma FC and Hawks player, Ebrima Cham, who now plies his football with Real de Banjul, a first division team in the Gambia Football Association’s (GFA) league, said his ambition is to become a professional footballer.

The skilful Ebrima who guarded mass experience when it comes to playing football in his Gambia is playing a pivotal role in helping his team in their run to winning the 2011 GFA league.

“My ambition is not only to stop playing in the Gambia’s local league but to play in the international football arena,” he said.

Cham was speaking to The Daily News sports after his side’s 2-0 victory over Interior FC in the week-seven of the GFA league, which now keeps them in fourth position with 11 points.

Ebrima is versatile player – performs in every department on the football pitch except defence and in goalkeeping.

Cham summarizes his football career saying that he started playing for ‘Jang Jang’ FC and later to Nguma FC of Serrekunda East for 2 years before he was selected in the Serrekunda East Zonal team.

“I was advised by my brother Yankuba Ceesay known as (mal) and Musa Manneh, who once represented Gambia in senior football level, to join Hawks which I did later,” he said.

“After playing for Hawks for three years, I transferred to my current team, Real de Banjul.”

During his years in Real, Cham scored a series of important goals. His brilliance and dedication to the team earns him the trust and confidence of the team’s management to entrust him with the captainship.

He urged his fans to continue supporting him and his team and to pray for him to become a professional player to represent his country one day in his football career.

Ghana V Gambia: Who will bounce back?

World and African Champions, Ghana will be seeking to bounce back after a Monday 18 maiden defeat in the hands of Nigeria in their group B opening game at the Dobsonville stadium in Johannesburg .

The three times African champions (1993, 1999, 2009), will be meeting an experienced Gambian team (with one appearance at the World cup Canada) in a bid to salvage their chances of qualifying for the second round and subsequently defend their title.

However, they go head to head with Gambia whose ambitions in this tournament remains unshaken albeit their 1-0 defeat in the hands of Cameroon last Monday.

The two West African giants know themselves very well and will rest at nothing to overthrow each other to ensure a qualifying place in the group’s log standing.

Both teams are in the danger zone with no point to their credit. However, their chances of qualifying still remains high as a victory from Thursday Cameroon Nigeria game would leave the second place open to fight for in Group B.

There is therefore no chance for mistakes if any of them wish to ensure a better chance of qualifying setting the stage for an enthralling encounter.

The coaches are not fazed by their opening defeats but look forward to Thursday to overturn their ill fortune.

Under pressure Orlando wellington of Ghana believes: “We also have to win our second game so as to put an end to the pressure”

“We lost because of some tactical indiscipline from my players. We will go back to the drawing board and try to improve where we can so that we can bounce back. All is not lost yet. There are still two games at hand and we hope to win all two to qualify for the next round,” he concluded.

Lamin Sarr will be counting on the efficiency of his boys as they engage in what is doped another West African derby.

“I know the quality of players I have and we are not afraid of any team, we are stronger than them and all being equal we will win our two last matches and qualify for the semi finals,” he said.