Gambia sprinter, Adama Jammeh, has mounted the podium once again in Paris after coming first in both the 100 and 20OM at the 32nd International meeting of Montgeron – Essonne Paris, France.

Adama Jammeh, who is training at the IAAF High Performance Center in Dakar through Olympic Solidarity Scholarship from The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), was in France through an invitation from the France Athletic Federation (FFA).

He booked his place in the 100m finals after coming first in the heat 2 with a timing of 10.36’. He was followed by John Jeffrey of

Marseille Sainte Marguerite Athletic Club with a timing 10.62’ while Ken Romain of Tremblay Athletics Club clinched the third position with 10.74’.

In the finals, 24 hours later, Adama Jammeh thrilled the stadium with a massive explore of 10.25’ finish at first place. He was followed by

Adrian Griffith of Bahamas with a timing of 10.33’ and Andrew Robertson of Gibraltar clinching the third position with 10.39 seconds.

A week after the 100m competition, Adama Jammeh returned on the track for the 200m finals. As predicted by many, Adama Jammeh did not disappoint as he emerges victorious with a time of 20.65’. His closest rival Kevin Akhmysse of As Saint Jusien Athletics Club finished second with 21.39 and Jeff Tenson Duthill of Cergy Pontoise Athletics Club clinched the third position with a time of 21.76.

Meanwhile, Adama Jammeh was expected back at his base in Dakar (yesterday) Monday ahead of the IAAF World Challenge Athletics

Competition to be held on Wednesday May 25th, 2016 at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Senegal.

Some top African and World athletes are arriving in Dakar for the most awaited championship ahead of Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

 Namory Trawally, GNOC

The Super Nawettaan Organising Committee (SNOC) will govern all Nawettaan activities in The Gambia as mandated by The Gambia Football Federation (GFF), the committee announced on Monday in a press release sent to Observer Sports Desk.

Signed by the SNOC Chairman Ba S Jabbi and GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo, the release added that the Super Nawettaan Organising Committee at its meeting on Thursday, 19th May, 2016 unanimously agreed to implement the football calendar released by the GFF.

“All the Nawettaan competitions should start in June and must finish in September. The Super Nawettaan shall kick off by the 1st of October and finish by the end of October. Any Zone that violates this calendar shall have its competition discontinued until after the zonal competition,” the release concluded.

by Fatoumata Trawally

The Scorpions of The Gambia will play the Chipolopolo of Zambia in a friendly match scheduled for the 30th May 2016 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

The two sides will be meeting for the first time at senior level and it is expected to serve as a real test for the Scorpions.

The friendly, according The Gambia Football Federation (GFF), is part of technical preparations by Gambia’s Coach Sang Ndong ahead of the team’s 2017 AFCON qualifying match at home to South Africa slated for the 4th June.

The Gambian side, which lies at the bottom of Group M with 2 points and South Africa on 3 points, is likely going to be comprised of local and foreign-based players even though the Scorpions’ gaffer was yet to unveil his squad at the time of going to press on Monday.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon is currently top of Group M with 8 points while the Maurabitounes of Mauritania occupies second place with 7 points.

Meanwhile, Gambians are hoping that the senior side will draw inspiration from last weekend’s outstanding performances by the Young U-20 side in the 1-0 win over of Morocco in the ongoing qualifiers for the African Youth Championship to be hosted by Zambia early next year.

The performance by the Young Scorpions has been described as the best by any national team of the country in many years.

by Alieu Ceesay

Gambia sprinter, Adama Jammeh, has mounted the podium once again in Paris after coming first in both the 100 and 20OM at the 32nd International meeting of Montgeron – Essonne Paris, France.

Adama Jammeh, who is training at the IAAF High Performance Center in Dakar through Olympic Solidarity Scholarship from The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), was in France through an invitation from the France Athletic Federation (FFA).

He booked his place in  the 100m finals after coming first in the heat 2 with a timing of 10.36’. He was followed by John Jeffrey of

Marseille Sainte Marguerite Athletic Club with a timing 10.62’ while Ken Romain of Tremblay Athletics Club clinched the third position with 10.74’.

In the finals, 24 hours later, Adama Jammeh thrilled the stadium with a massive explore of 10.25’ finish at first place. He was followed by

Adrian Griffith of Bahamas with a timing of 10.33’ and Andrew Robertson of Gibraltar clinching the third position with 10.39 seconds.

A week after the 100m competition, Adama Jammeh returned on the track for the 200m finals. As predicted by many, Adama Jammeh did not disappoint as he emerges victorious with a time of 20.65’. His closest rival Kevin Akhmysse of As Saint Jusien Athletics Club finished second with 21.39 and Jeff Tenson Duthill  of Cergy Pontoise  Athletics Club clinched the third position with a time of 21.76.

Meanwhile, Adama Jammeh was expected back at his base in Dakar (yesterday) Monday ahead of the IAAF World Challenge Athletics

Competition to be held on Wednesday May 25th, 2016 at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Senegal.

Some top African and World athletes are arriving in Dakar for the most awaited championship ahead of Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Story Source: Namory Trawally, GNOC

Brikama-based outfit Brikama United now need to battle for 2nd position as they lost the 2016 league title to GPA with a draw against fellow Brikama brothers Bombada United.

The Sateba giant dominated the proceedings in a crowded Box bar mini

stadium, but the relegation threatened Bombada side resisted their plans with a strong defending.

Substitute Yahya Aihmane nearly gave Brikama United the vital goal, but to the disappointment of the fans, his effort went wide. The first half was physical with both sides’ strong resistance in the middle. Ensa Badjie came close for Brikama Utd in the 30th minute, but his shot was cleared by Lamin Sibi.

Resuming from the break, the Sateba giant pushed harder creating chances but were wasteful in at the goal post.

In the post match interview with Observer Sports, Sulayman Kuyateh, the head coach of Brikama United remained optimistic of winning the FA Cup trophy this season despite losing the league to GPA. “We will train hard and win against Bombada in the FA cup final.”

His opponent Lamin Antony Ceesay of Bombada FC was happy with a draw as it is vital in their battle to avoid relegation. “I am content with the draw.”

The two teams will play the FF Cup final on June 5 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Real de Banjul sensational forward Pa Omar Jobe whose 42nd minute header proved to be the difference between The Gambia U-20 and the Moroccan side on Saturday beliefs that the goal is not the end as he will be preparing for the return leg in Rabat. He therefore apologized to the fans for missed goal scoring chances.

The young attacker headed in from Bun Sanneh’s  delicious cross in

the 42nd minute to edge the young scorpions closer to the 3rd and the final round of the 2017 U-20 championship in Zambia.

In an interview with Observer Sports, Jobe who scored his second consecutive goal for the team in the qualifier saluted his technicians for giving him the chance to play and prove himself.  “I will first thank the technical staff for giving me the chance to play and explore what I can do, so that the fans can see it.” Jobe also went further to apologize to the fans for the missed chances despite scoring one, but believes that “the goal is not the end, because the most important game is ahead, which is the return leg.”

Speaking ahead of the return leg on the 12th June in Rabat, the attacker dismissed what most of the people are saying about the North African side. “We believe in what we can do, not what people are saying.”

by Muhammed  Lamin Drammeh

The government of Ghana through Ghana National Sports Authority and Ghana Paralympic Committee with the Economic Support of ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC) has officially invited the Gambia National Deaf football team and its officials (Deaf Scorpions FC) to the 6th Edition of West African Deaf Football Tournament to be held from 24th June to 8th July at the Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana.

The tournament is being organized to bring unity and a keen healthy football competition among member states of ECOWAS. This is the 6th ECOWAS Programme for Deaf Sports Associations in region with the aim to build up unity, strength and betterment of football for Deaf sports Associations.

In a press release sent to Observer Sports Desk from the Gambia Deaf Sports Association and signed by president Lamin Ceesay, the Gambia Deaf Scorpions FC is seeking financial support from all the stakeholder institutions, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Gambia Football Federation, and Gambia National Olympic Committee to secure air tickets.

“The association is able to cover its delegates allowance, registration fee, nonrefundable affiliation fee, jerseys and participation fee,” said Ceesay.

by Fatoumata Trawally

Julangel FC has been crowned the 2016 Sarahule League champions after beating Diabugu Bataba 3-0 in a highly-attended final played at the Independence Stadium in Bakau yesterday (Thursday) evening.

Both Serahule settlements in the Jimara and Sandu districts were meeting each other for the first time in a Soninkara Sports Association organized Football tournament final.

Ababacarr Camara opened the score sheet for Julangel FC in the 32nd minute of the game, before Abdoulie Jawneh’s remarkable brace in the 56th and 62nd minutes of the second half sealed a convincing victory for his side.

As champions, Julangel FC went home with a giant trophy and cash prize of D23, 000, while the runners-up, Diabugu FC, pocketed a consolation prize of D17, 000.

In a post-match interview with Observer Sports, the head coach of Julangel FC, Muhammed Sinera expressed delight for winning this year’s Sarahule tournament. His side, he said, was well prepared for the final against their opponent.

His counterpart on the opposite bench, Batch Ceesay, of losing Diabugu FC was a quite dissatisfied man, while attributing the woeful defeat to lack of adequate preparation.

According to him, they will now go back and prepare for the next tournament.

By Arfang MS Camara

It is all about pride and celebration for GPA coach Alhagie Sarr and charges after they won the 2016 GFF domestic First Division League in a spectacular style ahead of second place Brikama United.

In an interview with Observer Sports, Coach Alhagie Sarr whose side failed to win the league for several years said, “We are very pleased for winning the 2016 league but as I always say, we thank the Managing Director of GPA, Lamin Sanyang, players, team officials and the entire executive of the Football Club for the team’s brilliant performance this seasion.”

According to him, the team has been working for the latest success for the past three years by rebuilding the team. Sarr was happy that has been achieved. “We have been going around searching for players with the help of the executive and this year’s campaign was a good one.”

Sarr describes the 2016 league’s performance as the best by his team, while revealing that there are plans to celebrate the success in grand style when they get hold of the trophy after their final game against Brikama United next Sunday at the KG5 mini-stadium in Banjul.

On the issue of the competing in the CAF Clubs’ Champions League, Sarr told Observer Sports that they have to wait on the GPA’s Management that has greatly motivated the players. “All that I did ask for was provided for by the GPA Management and the Club’s executive because they wanted the team to win the league. They gave me 100% support and this motivated the players,” he told Observer Sports.

by Alieu Ceesay

The head coach of the senior national team of The Gambia, Coach Sang Ndong has spoken exclusively to Observer Sports about his side’s preparations ahead of the two upcoming games against Zambia and South Africa.

The Scorpions will play an international friendly at home against the Chipolopolo of Zambia next Monday at 7pm before hosting the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the AFCON 2017 qualifier in Group M on 4th June at the Independence stadium in Bakau.

The preparation, he told this medium yesterday (Thursday) afternoon has been going on since the beginning of this month (May) with the local-based players. “We are still working on the possibilities of getting our professionals for the games against Zambia and South Africa. We are still preparing and getting to the final stage.”

As to how important is the international friendly against the Chipolopolo of Zambia next Monday, Coach Sang Ndong said such games is very important in rebuilding process as it would help him to assess the individual goodness of the players. “The more games we get the better opportunity it will give us [the Coaches] to identify and see these players better, but based on trainings only it is not enough to assess these players; so this game it is very important and one step in our preparation for the game against South Africa on 4th June, which is going to be a very difficult game,” he told Observer Sports.

As to why Zambia for the friendly, the former Gambian international player said the team had an invitation to play a game in Cosovo next Sunday, but all of a sudden Cosovo got accepted in the UEFA and it would have required another process to have the game.

Gambians are expecting to see some of the foreign-based players for the two matches and when asked about the availability of the professionals, Sang Ndong who will unveil his squad today (Friday) morning at the GFF Secretariat confirmed that some foreign-based players will come for the games. He, however declined to disclosed who these professionals will be at the time of the interview.

The performance of the local-based players in the last two games in Nouakchott and Banjul against Mauritania stunned fans and some even went to suggest for the Coach to give more attention to local lads. Coach Sang Ndong maintained that it is still a good opportunity for all the players to continue proving themselves as they are competing with players playing in ‘higher leagues’. “It is all about individual performance that matters here and it is an open fight for all players. So we will continue with the blending.”

Sang Ndong and charges were on Wednesday held to a 1-1 draw by Real de Banjul in a test game played at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. He described it as a good test for the team and called on the general public to come out in numbers to support and cheer the team in the upcoming two matches.

The Gambian side lies at the bottom of Group M with 2 points and South Africa has 3 points.

by Alieu Ceesay

One of the country’s most successful football clubs, Wallidan, has been relegated to the second tier of Gambian domestic league football for the 2ndtime in three yearsalongside fellow Banjulian brothers of Banjul United.

The Banjul-based outfits came from behind to level the proceedings against fellow relegation-threatened side Serrekunda United but they are dumped out by virtue of goal difference.

The Ferry boys GPA were confirmed as champions last weekend, but the battle for survival in the top flight of Gambian football continues on Saturday. Lamin Jassey gave SK United the lead in the first half with a splendid long range shot in the 30th minute. Wallidan’s substitute Saikou Gassama ensured parity in the 67th minute.

In a post match interview with Observer Sports, the disappointed Wallidan coach Foday Bah said his side was not just lucky, but praised the players for a good performance.

The team, many say, has been affected by some of the players embarking on the illegal migration (Backway) to Europe. Bah said they have identified their problems, which they would solve with the team’s management.

Modou Njie of SK UTD who managed to maintain his side in the top flight league promised a better league performance next season in an interview with Observer Sports after the game.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Nine Gambian athletes last Wednesday raised the national flag higher once again with a master class performance at the Leopold Sedat Senghore stadium in Dakar, Senegal.

The focus was on two athletes Adama Jammeh and Gina Bass who were competing in the IAAF world challenge Dakar 2015 to meet the Olympics qualifying time.

None of them could make the time after Gina Bass finished 3rd position in the 100m with a timing of 11.43 whiles Adama Jammeh finished 2nd in the 200m with a timing of 20.53, thus breaking his personal best only needing +0.3 to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

Other Gambian athletes who took part in the Senegalese national championship were Fatou Sowe who came out 1st position in the 100m with a timing of 12.3, Tijan Keita 1st position in the 400m with a timing of 47.85, Buba Darboe competed in the long jump and came out 4th position with 7.01, Abdoulie Azim broke his PB in the 200m finishing 1st with a timing of 20.92.

Another Gambian female athlete who broke her PB was Fanta Mbye in the 400m with timing of 57.89 finishing 4th position.

Ebrima Camara finished 3rd position in 200m, Ismaila Manga finished 6th place in the 400m, Lamin Keita emerged 1st position in the 800m race.

Story source: Baboucarr Sey

The former champions of Brikama nawettan, Fortune fc are the champions of the 2016 West Coast Region 3rd division league on Friday. The Farato-based team defeated Misira United 3-0 at the Brikama Box-bar mini stadium.

A goal from Martin Badjie and Muhammed Sambou’s brace were enough to give them a convincing a win.

Mustapha Jarju, the head coach of Fortune couldn’t hide his excitement and thanked his players.

With his side set to play the Triangular Round as champions of the region, Jarju is upbeat that his side can make it.

By Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Sulayman Bah, a sport reporter with the Foroyaa Newspaper has won the Gambia Press Union’s (GPU) maiden “Sports Reporter Award” during the body’s maiden journalists’ award night held on Saturday at a local hotel.

Bah was competing along with Daily Observer’s Alieu Ceesay and John Mendy of West Coast Radio. The trio was shortlisted by the erudite judges comprising veteran journalists among many applicants for their outstanding journalistic work.

Shortly after receiving the award, Sulayman Bah said, “I’m pretty much overwhelmed. And it’s sure by no means a small feat. There couldn’t also have been a better way to reward a person for the tireless work he’d been doing for past years. A big thank you goes out to Foroyaa’s management and my workmates there. To the Gambia Press Union, I say a big thank you for putting up such a national event as way of motivating journalists in this country. To nominees who vied with me for the Sports Reporting Award, this is clearly not the end of the road. Instead they should see the positives in it. The fact that they have gotten nominated and shortlisted among the top three from the lot that threw in their applications, alone is a clear recognition of their works.”

by Alieu Ceesay

A blow for Scorpions’ coach Sang Ndong as four foreign-based players- striker Babucarr Steve Trawally (Yanbian FC, China), defender Omar Colley (Djurgarden IF, Sweden), striker Pa Amat Dibba (GIF Sundvall, Sweden) and Yusupha Njie (FUS Rabat, Morocco) will not make it in his squad that will face the Chipolopolo of Zambia in today’s (Monday) international friendly. They would however be available for the South Africa game as they arrive by Tuesday.

The kick-off time is 7pm at the Independence stadium in Bakau.

All the players are expected to join the team by Tuesday (Tomorrow) for the final preparations for next Saturday’s AFCON qualifier game at home against South Africa, Sang Ndong told Observer Sports.

Head coach Sang Ndong last Friday unveiled his 24-man squad, but the squad is now going to be dominated by the local-based players.

“No! We are going ahead with the local-based players because we got lot of problems with injuries like Mustapha Carayol, Demba Savage and Hamza Barry are all injured. Modou Barrow is not also 100% fit but he is joining camp today [Yesterday afternoon],” said Sang Ndong when asked whether he is going bring in some players.

He described the absence of some of the players as a blow, but on the other hand, he sees it as an opportunity to see more local-based players;

Coach Sang Ndong said defender Bubacarr Sanneh (AC Horsens, Denmark), new-comers Lamin Jallow alias Beck (Chievo Verona, Italy) and Bakary Njie (Cherno More, Bulgaria) and the players based in Senegal have since joined the camp.

Can the squad stand the 2012 AFCON Champions Zambia and/or whether coach Sang Ndong did the right selection? Well this has been the debate around town since the announcement was made.

The local-based players selected in the league have had a great season with their clubs. Domestic league side Samger’s Mamadi Ngum tops the league’s score sheet and GAF’s Emil Sambou also had a good season with the Solders’ team.

“Hawks’s Mass Manga needs to improve, but my only question mark is on Musa Yaffa who has not been in the best of shape with Hawks. Overall it’s a good team lined up we wait and see how they will fare in the games ahead,” opined Sports Journalist Amadou Tamba.

In the absence of sensational midfielders such as the injured Hamza Barry and un-called fantastic Ebrima Sohna, local-based side Hawks’s Lamin Charty is likely to make it in the starting line-up after his brilliant performance against Mauritania at home. The lad came in the second half and was very productive as an attacking midfielder in that game.

“I think coach Sang Ndong is not doing the right selection. He is more of using his current position to fight back at some players he had issues with before. Things are not going on well and I think he needs to understand that this is about The Gambia. If you look at the squad, he is just bringing in some of the players he feels like calling, but there are better players that he should invite. However, I wish the team all the best,” Lamin Dampha, a football fan told Observer Sports.

Lamin Kaba Bajo is the President of Gambia Football Federation. He told Observer Sports that he was expecting a positive result.

The test match, according to Bajo is very important for the team as a win can improve the team’s standing in the FIFA Ranking.

On the widespread rumors that some players were asked to pay for their tickets, which is the responsibility of the Ministry of Youth and Sports with support of GFF, Bajo refuted those rumors, saying “I am not aware of that and what I know is that tickets have been bought for those invited.”

Squad List

Modou Jobe (Niary Tally, Senegal), Alagie Nyabally (Real de Banjul), Christopher Allen (GPA), Mass Manga (Hawks), Bubacarr Sanneh (AC Horsens, Denmark), Matarr Ceesay (GPA), Sainey Sambou (Brikama United), Mamadi NGUM (Samger), Bully Drammeh (Real de Banjul), Modou Barrow (Swansea), Nuha Barrow (Gamtel), Lamin JALLOW (Chievo Verona, Italy), Bakary Njie (Cherno More, Bulgaria), Kaba Sambou (Stade de Mbour, Senegal), Alieu Jatta (Generation Foot, Senegal), Muhammed Conte (Mbour PC), Lamin Charty (Hawks), Emil Sambou (GAF), Gregory Sambou (GPA), MUSA Yaffa (Hawks).

by Alieu Ceesay

The West Coast Region Secondary School Sports Association’s (WCRSSSA) maiden Regional Championship wrapped-up as Tujereng Senior secondary School won Brusubi Senior School 2-0 to be crowned champions of the senior school male category.

In what was a hard-fought final played at the Box bar mini-stadium in Brikama, the first half ended goalless. Resuming from the break, Tujereng’s Malang Camara opened the score sheet with a splendid free kick after five minutes into the second half. Substitute Emmanuel Mendy’s 89th minute strike was enough to seal a convincing win for the coastal boys.

Female Category

Meanwhile, in the female category, Fatou Dukuray’s strike gave the trophy to Bottrop Senior School over  Mindaw Senior School.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports, Alieu Y Cham, the chairman and head of competitions at the Gambia Secondary School Sports Association described the final as “brilliant”. He thanked the girls for the skills that they demonstrated on the pitch. Mr. Cham also called on GFF to use this championship “as an avenue to spot talents for the national teams.”

72 Senior and Junior schools took part in the regional championship.

Babucarr Secka, regional sports coordinator told Observer Sports that he was quite satisfied that the event was successful.

Junior School Category

In the junior school category, Presentation of Mary Basic won the female league, whilst Kitty Upper Basic School won the male category.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Albion Lower Basic School has been crowned champion of the 2016 Primary School Girls Cricket Knockout tournament when they defeated Wesley Primary School in a final played at the 22nd July Square in Banjul last Friday.

The program started with the two Captains taking the toss. Wesley won the toss and elected to Field. Albion batted and scored 77 runs in 15 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. Amie Ceesay batted and scored 17 runs the highest, and Awa Fadera bowled and took 4 wickets for 10 runs in 3 overs bowled.

In the second innings, Wesley Lower Basic School batted and scored 44 runs for the of lost 8 wickets, Fatou K. Jarju batted and scored 9 runs the highest for them Binta Ceesay bowled and took 2 wickets for 4 runs in 3 overs bowled. Albion Lower Basic School won the title by 33 runs.

Speaking at the final, Johnny Gomez, the President of Gambia Cricket Association thanked the School Heads and Physical Education Teachers for allowing and preparing the students to participate in the tournament, as every school that participated is a winner. The Winner and Runners-Up went with a Trophy and Certificate, whiles the Participating schools went with a Certificate each. The occasion was graced by School Children and Board Members of the Association were also present.

by Fatou Trawally

2016 GFF first division domestic league champions GPA ended their remarkable season with a defeat against second place side Brikama United on Sunday at the KG5 mini stadium in Banjul.

Saikouba Ceesay scored in either half of the game for the Sateba side and Muhammed Kabba headed in a consolation goal for Ports late in the game.

GPA were confirmed as champions last week and Brikama Utd needed to win to maintained their 2nd place standing in the league and they did just that.

In a post match interview with Observer Sports, Brikama United assistant coach, Modou Lamin Nyassi congratulated GPA for winning the league and applauded his boys for winning the game to maintain their standing as 2nd place winners.

Brikama United will now shift attention to the much talked-about FF Cup final against fellow town brothers Bombada next weekend at the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

Hagie Tunkara, GPA assistant coach was full of praises for the Management of GPA and executive members of the Football Club for the support to the team during the season.

Below is the league standings

1. GPA 42 points
2. Brikama utd 41 ponts
3. Real De Banjul 41 points
4. Gamtel 31 ponits
5. Hawks 27 points
6. Steve biko 25 points
7. Bombada 24 points
8. Samger 24 points

9 .GAF 23 points

10. SK UTD 20 points
11. Wallidan 20 points (Relegated)
12. Banjul Utd 17 points (Relegated)

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Scorpions of The Gambia were last night held to a goalless draw by the Chipolopolo of Zambia in an international friendly match played at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

It was the first meeting of the two countries at the senior level, hence the importance of the game as both sides prepare for next weekend’s different AFCON qualifier games against South Africa and Guinea Bissau.

The game, which attracted some handful spectators failed to meet the expectations of fans of Gambian side, which was composed more of local-based players in the absence of some foreign-based players.

The first half witnessed minimal chances and a low tempo. Gambia created more close chances than their opponent but would not find the back of the net.

Resuming from the break, the Scorpions captained by defender Buba Sanneh of Denmark in the absence of Omar Colley were much better with star player Bully Drammeh of domestic league side Real De Banjul displaying fantastic skills on the right flank moving fast into the Zambian half. The deadliest chance came just 14 minutes into the second half when Bully Drammeh’s powerful left footer was brilliantly saved by Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mureene.

The 2012 AFCON champions Zambia, on the other hand were very disciplined at the back and cautious of the Gambian strikers.

Coach Sang Ndong effected some changes as he brought in Sainey Sambou, domestic league top scorer and Samger’s Mamadi Ngum, and Alasan Manneh to mount more pressure on Zambia.

His opponent assistant coach Agrey Chiyangi also did effect some change in his squad to better reinforce the team when he brought in Chama Chomba for Chrissamba Lungu and Conlyde Luchanga for Christopher Katongo.

Speaking in a post match interview with Observer Sports,  Scorpions’ coach Sang Ndong said the friendly match was very important and timely. He said it would help him identify some of the lapses in his squad ahead of the South Africa game.

He admitted scoring is a big problem for Gambian football but hopes there will be goals looking at the strikers invited such as Baboucarr Steve Trawally and Bakary Njie.

While hoping for more test games, the Scorpion Coach was quite happy with the performance of the local-based players describing them as the “future of Gambian football”.

The assistant coach of Zambia, Agrey Chiyangi said that the game will serve as a good preparation for their upcoming game against Guinea Bissau. He commended the Gambian side for their respectable performance as his side was given a real test game needed.

by Alieu Ceesay

& Arfang MS Camara