Luniburg FC of Newtown were on Sunday crowned champions of the Bakau curtain raiser Super Cup final after a 4-3 post-match penalty shoot-out win over Vidar FC,  following a goalless stalemate in regulation time.

The game that was witnessed by many football loving fans was played at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

As winners, Luniburg FC went home with a giant trophy and a cash prize of D10, 000, while the runners up, Vidar FC pocketed home a consolation prize of D7, 000

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports, head coach of Luniburg FC, Omar Joof said his team trained extremely hard to maintain the honour and pride, through lots of test games with teams in different zones.

For his part, the captain of Vidar FC, Ensa Njie, was quite a disappointed man for losing the final, lamenting that it was the second consecutive time they were losing a game to Luniburg through a penalty shoot-out.

The captain admitted that his side is not very good at penalty shoot-out but promised that they would work on their scoring tactics during the game.

by Lamin Bojang

After four days of hectic journey, The Gambia sporting delegation at the 2016 Olympic Games arrived in Rio de Janeiro around 3.00am Brazilian time (6.00am GMT) on Tuesday.

The team left Banjul on Saturday, July 30th but had a rocky journey due to unfavourable bookings combined with many flight delays.

The delegation comprises Modou Demba, GNOC Development Officer; team leader, Alhagie Dodou Capi Joof  of The Gambia Athletics Association; Mariama Sallah Saine, Athletics Coach; Arfang Y Jobe, Swimming Coach;  athletes Adama Jammeh and Gina Bass; swimmer Pap D. Jonga and Namory Trawally, GNOC Information Assistant, Press Attaché to the Gambian team at the Games.

The delegation was received at the Rio International Airport by the Gambian Chef De Mission (CDM) to the Games, Haruna Cham.

The delegation is lodged at the apartment 7 of floor 11 of the Olympic Village situated at the Olympic Park in Rio.

Gambian Judoka, Faye Alex Njie and his coach Victor will join the team on Thursday August 4th.

Story source: Namory Trawally

in Brazil

The head coach of Harlem FC has told Observer Sports that his aim is to win a trophy at this year’s SK West Nawettan. He was speaking in a post-match interview following a goalless draw with Kogne Bi.

Mustapha Jammeh said he was delighted with the game final result. According to him, his players are young and inexperienced, taking its toll on the players.

He promised to better prepare the team for their next game both physically and mentally.

Ousman Senghore, head coach of Kogne Bi also told Observer Sports that they would go back to the training ground and prepare more.

by Fatou Gassama

The defending league champions, Medina FC, and Future Stars on Tuesday made a very good start in the ongoing Serrekunda East Nawettan after beating Bradford FC and Uprising respectively.

The two encounters played in a free and fair atmosphere was played at the Serrekunda East Mini-Stadium.

Medina FC, after missing out on the Super Cup in the hands of Blue Stars FC, last weekend bounced back after beating Bradford FC 2-1 in regulation time. Pa Modou Sarr and Abdou Jarju scored for Medina FC in the 8th and 58th minutes, while Bardford FC Omar Manneh scored the only goal for his side in the 23rd minute.

Meanwhile, in the early kickoff, Future Stars also hammered Uprising FC, 3-1. Modou Njie added a second and Ali Faal’s fine strike was enough to give the Willingara side the maximum points. Lamin Kinteh scored what turned out to be a mere consolation for Uprising after 79 minutes.

Speaking in an interview shortly after the game, the head coach of Medina FC, Sanna Darboe expressed delight with the win.

“The Serrekunda East zone is not an easy zone to play and the competition is very tough, that’s why some have to expect the unexpected. Because if you say you prepared better you will see a team that is prepared better than your own team.”

Lamin Manneh, the head coach of Bradford FC praised his team for the good performance.

by Jainaba D. Jatta &

Awa Gassama

The Lamin Youth and Sports Committee (LYSC) last Tuesday, commenced its new Nawettan season with 20 teams battling for both the league and knockout trophies this season.

Six games have been played so far in the season.

Harlem FC beat Sanchaba United 2-0 in the opening game of the Nawettan in a well attended game.

London United beat Villas FC 2-1, in the second encounter of the tournament, followed by a 1-1 draw between Sateba United and World Eleven FC.

Si Pah Bi FC, being one of the biggest teams in Lamin football, also made a fine start after beating Prison FC by a lone goal to nil; Gambinos  and Sotokoto drew 1-1 after regulation time. Last year’s league winners Jattas FC also defeated the Veterans 1-0.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Observer Sports, Sanna Manneh the assistant coach of Jattas expressed delight with the win. According to him, his team played a good game and had a good result, although they were expecting more goals but unfortunately managed to score only one.

by Binta Bah & Binta Jammeh

The Bakau Nawettan teams have recently appealed to the Bakau Sports Committee to be playing their upcoming Nawettan season games at the Independence Stadium, following their Super Cup final played at the same venue between Luniburg FC and Vidar FC, on Sunday.

The Bakau community playing ground, which is currently under renovation, is being supervised by the Alkalo and Bakau Advisory Committee.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports, head coach of Luniburg FC Omar Joof, spoke about the teams appeal for the Committee to look into possibilities of playing the 2016 games at the Stadium following.

The Luniburg FC Manager said that over the years, Bakau have been playing their Nawettan at the sandy Seaview and Real de Banjul football fields, just about 200 meters away from the Stadium. He added that Bakau is full of young and talented players who are trying to showcase themselves to the highest level.

Also speaking to Observer Sports, Pa Yusupha Samba, the President of the Bakau Sports Committee, thanked the people of Bakau for coming in their numbers to grace and cheer their teams during the Super Cup final.

When asked about the appeal made by the teams, Samba said that, the appeal cannot be possible as they even rented the Stadium to play their curtain raiser. He also added that they will see if there is any possibility to rent the venue again for the semifinals and final of the upcoming season.

by Lamin Bojang

The coach of Kololi Academy has blame bad refereeing after losing their derby with Marimoo FC by 1-0 in a game played on Tuesday at the Father Gough Sports Complex.

Sainey Conteh’s 21st minute goal proved enough to earn Marimoo its first win in the Nawettan.

A disappointed looking Coach Thomas said the bad officiating was visible by all.

“I like acting professionally in the pitch which is why no one sees me complain but I still challenge the official to revisit his mistakes to avoid more of such controversial callings.  Marimoo is a good team and my mistake was reserving my key players to observe the match in the first encounter,” he said, while hoping for more points in their forthcoming games.

Head Coach of Marimoo, Sulayman Bah confirmed that the game was a derby as both teams share the same training ground.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game so we were prepared and made åthe 21st minute which granted us maximum points,” Bah ended.

In a game played earlier, Cosmos drew goalless with Global Properties/SSJFC.

by Saffiatou Colley &

Hadang Daffeh

Manjai Kunda Nawettan defending champions, Kololi Central, on Wednesday won their first game against Talibi FC in a match played at the town’s sports complex.

The game was a tough encounter for Talibi who newly joined the Manjai competition, after losing many chances.

Kololi’s Ousman Joof finally scored in the 11th minute as Ebrima Jallow finished in the 43rd minute ending the game 2-0.

Omar Jobe, Kololi head coach, told Observer Sports that hardwork was his secret, adding that being defending champions is the biggest challenge as every team to meet you would feel it’s a do or die game.

“I don’t want my team to be like other defending champions who will carry trophies and relegate or perform poorly next season.  We are back to compete and our every game is a do or die,” he noted. Jobe indicated that it is their intention  qualify after their first two games so as to give chance to their younger ones to play.

Mr. Ceesay, assistant head coach of Talibi commended his boys for the respectable performance despite losing at the end.

He promised a different game for the debutants next match.

by Saffiatou Colley & Hadang Daffeh

Female sprinter Miss Gina Bass has been chosen as the Gambia’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio.

The Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony is due to take place at the Maracanã Stadium tomorrow, August 5.

The 21-year-old will become the first female to carry the flag for The Gambia.

Miss Gina Bass is the only female competitor in the Gambia’s Olympic team of 4 for Rio 2016 and is due to compete in the 200m.

She will be first female athlete to represent the Gambia in the Olympic Games with standard qualification.

At the age of 21, Miss Gina Bass will be taking part in her first Olympic Games in Rio. She made her first major international appearance only in 2011 at the World Youth Championship in Lille, France, but has already achieved a historic record, becoming the first Gambian female athlete to break two national records and qualified to the Olympic Games.

The young athlete impressed in French Guyana in June as she set a new national record of 23.14 seconds in the 200 meter race and become the first Gambian female athlete to qualify for the Olympic Games after bagging her ticket to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

She is the second Gambian athlete in history to clock the qualification standard for a summer Olympic Games, after Suwaibou Sanneh made it to the last Olympic Games in London 2012 in the 100m.

The athletics competition begins on August 12, 2016.

Story Source: Namory Trawally at Rio, Brazil

DK United on Wednesday got to a good start in the 2016 SWESO nawettan campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Kanifing Layout in a game played at the Serrkunda mini stadium.

Both teams got to a brilliant start creating goal scoring chances, but it was Lasana Drammeh’s 62nd minute penalty spot kick that separated the two sides.

In a post-match interview with Observer Sports, Adama Jallow, coach of DK United, expressed delight for winning his first game and collecting the 3 points.

With Harlem as their next opponent, he said his side will be well prepared for that encounter.

Tairou Kujabi is the head coach of Kanifing Layout and was quite unhappy for losing the game.  The game plan, he said, did not reflect the final result of the game.

The 2016 Brikama rainy season football fiesta commonly know as nawettan is in full swing at the Box Bar Mini Stadium in Brikama.

Ajax Football Academy of Giboro on Sunday played a goalless stalemate with Santo-su United.

Banjulinding-based Congi-bi FC were also the better side following a 2-0 defeat over Amasa in the late kick-off on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Jaliba FC defeated Greater Tomorrow by 2-0 in an intriguing encounter.

The last time the two sides met it was Greater Tomorrow that won Jaliba FC 4-0.

In other games played so far, Berewuleng drew goalless with AC Milan, Darsilameh lost to Borderline by a lone goal while Orlando defeated Yarambamba 3-2.

Matches continue today (Friday) with Nema United taking on Ecomog at 3pm, while Kabafita Utd and G-Sarr will entertain the crowd at 5pm.

On Saturday, the super cup champions Faabuu will play 1 Infantry Battalion at 3pm,  Sky Power will battle it out with newcomers Alfama at 5pm.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The top hierarchy of The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) on Saturday August 6, 2016, paid a courtesy call on the Gambian sporting delegation at the Olympic Village in Rio.

The GNOC delegation comprising President Alhaji Momodou Dibba, Secretary General Peter Prom and Treasurer Ousman Wadda, were accompanied to the Athletes Village by Gambia’s Chef de Mission to Rio 2016, Mr Haruna Cham.

Addressing the athletes, Dibba expressed his entire Executive Committee’s delight in seeing Gambia presenting good and qualified athletes to the Games.

He urged the athletes to be focused sothat they can achieve the desired results.

Meanwhile, a day after GNOC visited the Athletes Village, the delegation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports comprising Abdulie M Kah, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Sports and Marcel Mendy, the Executive Director of the National Sports Council also  visited the team.

They were received by the GNOC development officer and team leader Momodou Demba.

The MOYS delegation extended greetings from the Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Alieu K Jammeh and reaffirmed the government’s support and encouragement to the athletes.

by Namory Trawally in Rio

Sports, especially football, is said to be ‘religion’ for many people in the modern world; almost everyone is in love with soccer, wrestling or another form of sport these days. Sports enthusiasts would do everything possible to win including resorting to means such as occult rituals.

Occult spells, locally called ‘Njeeri’ in Wollof language and ‘Sitikong’ in Mandinka, are part of the African culture and it boosts the confidence of those who believe in it. Sportsmen and women are given jujus by marabous with the belief that it would provide them good luck; or sometimes impair the abilities of their opponents during competitions.

Football and wrestling are now synonymous with the occult practice called ‘njeeri/sitikong’. The practice is now being adopted by countries around the world such as Brazil and France.

Pape Saine, a veteran journalist and proprietor of the Point Newspaper, said mainly in wrestling and football, people go to marabous for prayers who would make them jujus in an attempt to win them games. “Even in Brazil they believe in what they called ‘Wodoo’,” Mr Saine told Observer Light.

He recalled that during the 1998 World Cup final between Brazil and France, which the latter won by 3-0, the former’s striker, Luis Nazario de Lima Ronaldo, was sick on the day of the final and many drew the conclusion that it was as a result of a spell cast on him by the French. He added that when Ronaldo was taken to the hospital, the doctors said they could not find anything and people in the [French] media were thanking God that their ritual had worked.

“People in France said Ronaldo, a man who was capable of spoiling their chances [of winning the World Cup on home soil] was sick and cannot play; all along they had that superstitious believe.”

Saine, who covered two World Cups and other international sports activities, said ‘njeeri’ cannot guaranty anyone to win or to be defeated. However, he said if you do ‘njeeri’ there are other means that can be used to destroy it.

This practice is widespread in Gambian sports and many people have interesting tales to tell about their personal and team experiences especially in the local Nawettan football tournaments. Does it work or not? Is it good or bad for football? These and many questions will be answered in this series we are running on ‘Njeeri/Sitikong’ on this paper for the rest of the summer football season.

By Omar Wally

Source: Observer Light

The West Coast Region Football Association (WCRFA) over the weekend awarded the Farato-based side, Fortune FC, a giant trophy and medals as elites of the Region’s Third Division championship.

The one time double winners of the Brikama Nawettan won the championship in June ahead of Gunjur United and Greater Tomorrow in an 18-team league. Their deserving victory over the weekend earned them D25,000, a giant trophy and medals, and got promotion to the National Second Division.

Jane Joof, the President and the head coach of the club, said hard work and determination led to their success. Mr Joof, who is the head coach of a First Division side, SAMGER FC, put many people in a doubt as to where he would be in the future.

Speaking to Observer Sports, Mr Joof said: “I don’t see any reason why I should leave these boys alone. Fortune is where I belong to. There is a difference between your own and your friend’s”.

He was however, reticent over where he would be next season, signaling that he wants to reserve his answer for a while.

When quizzed on what kept them so late to hand Fortune FC the trophy, the President of the WCRFA, Abdou Karim Sey, said it coincided with the Real de Banjul Golden Jubilee celebration and the refusal of Brufut United to return the trophy.

He, however, congratulated Fortune for winning it and making it to the Second Division.

Mr Sey and his association would travel with Fortune FC to the Lower River Region to play the Access to Justice Football tournament.

by Mohammed Lamin Drammeh

The much anticipated Nawettan in the cosmopolitan town of Brikama continues to attract large crowds at the Boxba Mini-Stadium. It was an action packed weekend as the league champions Fabou FC  went blank with a stubborn Infantry Battalion side.

The soldiers put up a strong resistance against the knockout winners as they undid all Fabou’s  tricks in the early kickoff fixture on Saturday.

In the 5pm game, it was Sky Power that recovered from their super cup slump to beat the newcomers Alfama by 2 goals to nil. Ebrima Gibba gave them the lead from the penalty spot  before Ebrima Jallow scored late in the game.

On Sunday, Talli Bi FC defeated Gidda Youths by a goal to nil in the 3 pm kickoff.

At 5pm, the already confirmed second division side, Fortune FC lost to an impressive Misira United. Missira’s Ousman Sanneh scored the only goal of the game, sending fans to a jubilant mood.

Elsewhere, in the southern part of the country, Gunjur FC also enjoyed the rainy football fiesta in the Nyamina Football Field.

On Thursday, Solid Properties thrashed Dunes FC of Nyofelkeh; Kun Dembo lost to Gamrock while Red Star FC held Gamcell/ Halifax Town FC on Saturday.

by Mohammed Lamin Drammeh

The Observer Company – the publisher of the Daily Observer Newspaper, will play in the final against The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the ongoing National Inter-departmental Sports Association (NISA) football tournament, following a 1-0 defeat of The Gambia Police Force in a semifinal played on Sunday at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium. 

The match against the Aviation Authority would launch the Daily Observer as the first ever media house to play in the NISA football final, thus making the company prove its case that they are not only pen pushers, but effective sportsmen and women.

The game began in a slow pace with both teams trying to figure out a tactical approach to penetrate each other’s yard. However, after 10 minutes into the first half, the Observer team sent a wake-up signal to the Police by imposing attacking threats into their defence with series of counterattacks from tricky and fast flank players.

After 29 minutes of the game, Observer’s Lamin Bojang was brought to the ground, about 27 metres from the Police’s goal post. The resulting free kick taken by Mustapha Drammeh hit the underside of the cross bar and tapped into the net by Modou Ceesay, which sent the fans of the country’s media power house into jubilation.

The Police team tried to respond by puting up a fierce fight, but their efforts were denied by Muhammed Fatty, who remained superb between the sticks.

In the other semifinal, the GCAA drew goalless with the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) in regulation time; however, GCAA later won the game by 5-4 on a post-match penalty shoot-out.

Speaking to Observer Sports after the game, the head coach of Observer football team, Pa Modou Faal thanked his players and management of the company under the auspices of Momoodou Sabally, for supporting his team both morally and financially. Coach Faal added that his team is yearning for the trophy and, therefore, urged Observer, GRTS and the entire media fraternity to come and support the Observer team in the final.

On his part, the Head Coach of Police, Abdoulie Darboe, said his side got numerous chances, but squandered them, whereas Observer capitalised on theirs.

He hailed the Observer team for their respectable performance and urged them to work on their fitness level, saying the team has very good and talented players.

Darboe finally thanked the Inspector General of Police, the management and the fans for their support to the team.

by Lamin Bojang

The President of the Gambia Football Federation, Lamin Kabba Bajo has recently returned from Abuja, Nigeria. He was in Nigeria at the invitation of Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick following the historic visit to Africa by  FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the newly appointed FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura.

Upon his return to Banjul, the GFF boss spoke to the Football Federation website www.gff.gm about his visit and subsequent meetings with the FIFA President and Secretary General, and other issues.

Mr Bajo said he was at the Abuja meeting with several of his colleagues across Africa at the invitation of NFF President whom according to him decided to invite his colleague presidents to welcome FIFA President and Secretary General and to discuss with them matters relating to football development in Africa and the world at large. “We participated in a series of programmes and other engagements organised by our host including a courtesy call on the President of the Nigerian Senate,” said Bajo.

He stated that the FIFA President was pleased to interact with the African football leaders and further renewed his commitment to working with Africa for the continuous growth and development of football. “We told him that our loyalty to former President Sepp Blatter was based on the support he extended to Africa especially the hosting of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa including a host of other football development programmes for Africa and assured him of our undivided support and loyalty to enable him implement his vision for the development of the game on the continent and globally”.

The GFF President further stated that he and his colleagues also thanked FIFA President for quickly fulfilling some of his campaign promises amongst which are the appointment of an African as the FIFA Secretary General, and also for increasing the FIFA financial support to member associations.

Mr. Bajo said that a caucus meeting, though not related with the visit of FIFA President was held by English speaking countries within CAF during their stay in Abuja. The sole objective of which he said was to create a forum through which they can defend the interest of the Anglophone countries for a common purpose, among which was the need to put up and support common candidates for the forthcoming elections into the FIFA Council, slated for this September. This he said was based on the fact that CAF is now divided into language group (English, French and Arab/Portuguese/Spanish) for this purpose, and that the positions in FIFA Council will be allocated according to these blocks. By the new status, two members from the African block will be elected to serve for six months before a full weight of seven officials be voted into the council in March 2017. Candidates from seven countries are vying for the two positions to be filled in, viz: Senegal, Ghana, South Sudan, Niger, Madagascar, CAF 1st Vice President Pattel (from Seychelles) and CAF 2nd Vice President Almamy Kabele Camara (from Guinea-Conakry).

Asked about his reaction to some media reports alleging that the Abuja meeting was meant to plot the toppling of the incumbent CAF Supremo, Issa Hayatou, GFF President vehemently denied this allegation and further stated that he has never attended any meeting in which such an issue was discussed, and that his presence in Nigeria at the invitation of his Nigerian colleague was to welcome and meet with FIFA President and Secretary General, and also to take part in the Anglophone Block meeting on the election of candidates into the FIFA council. “In fact, there was nothing of such discussed at any of the meetings I attended,” said Mr. Bajo.

Reacting to this reporter’s question whether the NFF had obtained the approval of the CAF leadership in organising such a gathering of African Football Presidents, Bajo said that he was of the belief that that was the case as CAF is the immediate authority of football on the continent. He added that “even where we have our differences, we should always find a forum to argue it out well and finally reach a common agreement in our collective interest”.

GFF President emphasized that he is loyal to the current CAF leadership in Hayatou and that he will continue to give him his fullest support and allegiance. This, he said was further manifested by the fact that the GFF is among those member federations which have already urged Mr. Hayatou to run for President for another term based on the fact that Africa needs him at the helm of CAF at this very crucial period, with his experience and strength of character seeing how he brought honour and dignity to FIFA during its troubled period.

Source: GFF.GM

The much awaited match in the ongoing Serrekunda East Nawettan championship has finally been played on Sunday, with a Tallinding based team, RSL Zurich facing New Germany, who are widely known as German Boys.

The match was played at the Serrekunda East Mini-Stadium with RSL Zurich starting the game in a very high pace in the first minutes of the game, which seemed futile, as German Boys capitalised on Zurich’s defensive howler after just 16 minutes played into the game. It was Ensa Mballow who placed the ball into the net, sending the fans of the German Boys into jubilation.

RSL Zurich responded back positively, with series of attacking pressures from all ends, but were denied by the magnificent goal keeper of the New Germany, Amadou Jaiteh. After 29 minutes of the game, Ensa Jarju of RSL Zurich built a counter attack, but he was brought to the ground and the resulting free kick was taken by Alagie Mbye whose delivery was headed into the net by Lamin Jobe for the equaliser. Edward Sanneh scored in the second half to complete the comeback.

Speaking in an interview, the Head Coach of RSL Zurich, Raam Cham, told Observer Sports that he had worked hard on his tactics, whereas raising the fitness level of his players. He added that he was equally working on his goal scoring skills, which he said, bears fruit.

On his part, the New Germany coach, Modou Lamin Beyai, said he is very disappointed after losing two games on the bounce. He, however, hailed his players and thanked their main sponsor, Modou Secka Barrow, for his support.

by Lamin Bojang & Jainaba D. Jatta

Guiguie  FC last Tuesday  collected  three  points with a spectacular 2-0 win against D’Dolphins FC in  their  second  game in the ongoing Manjai  Kunda  Nawettan played  at  the Father  Gough  Sports  Complex.

It was a tough encounter as both  teams  strived  to  score  after  squandering so many chances, before Guiguie  FC  took control  of  the  game; as Kebba  Wally’s brace   in  the  66th  and  77th  minutes  respectively  were  enough  for Guiguie to  secure  a  win.

Speaking  to Observer  Sports  in  a  post-match  interview,  Pape Mbowe, the Head  Coach  of  Guiguie  FC, said he was happy for the performance. He expressed his delight in securing six points from two games, noting that their ambition is to win both the super cup and the league trophy.

Mike SH, the Head Coach of D’Dolphins FC, on his part said, they had accepted the defeat in good faith and that they are working even harder for their next game. He acknowledged that he was disappointed with his boys, but promised to work hard to improve their performance.

by  Hadang  Daffeh

Newcastle United star Moussa Sissoko has set his heart on a transfer to Real Madrid and insists he is waiting for the Champions League winners to make their move.

The 26-year-old, who impressed for France in their run to the final of Euro 2016, has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park since Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Liverpool were reportedly considering a £35million bid some weeks ago, while Madrid and Juventus have also emerged as reported admirers of the midfielder.

And Sissoko has admitted he is hoping to receive a call from Zinedine Zidane before the transfer window closes on August 31.

“I hope Real will come for me. I’m still waiting,” he told the BBC World Service.

“If Real Madrid are interested in you, then of course you will be happy, but right now I am still a Newcastle player.”

Sissoko hopes Newcastle fans understand his desire to move to a major club after spending three and a half years on Tyneside.

“They need to understand,” he said. “I gave everything for this club and I want to play some big games. For that I need to go somewhere else.

“I want to play in the Premier League, I want to play for a big club who can get into the Champions League. That’s why I said I want to leave this year.

“I’ve spent a lot of time here and now it’s time to look forward. The fans need to understand my situation. I hope they will and that everything will be okay.”

Source: Goal