Gambia Armed Forces male volleyball team has earned a commanding lead on the 2016 volleyball standings following their victories on Friday and Sunday against Brikama and Fire Services respectively.

The soldiers beat a resolute Brikama side 3-2 at Box bar on Friday. In the opening set GAF pulled off great display but the young Brikama side stood firm in their blocks and spikes.

Game tied at 2-2  both teams put great efforts in the fifth sets and Brikama took a commanding point lead. However, the exuberance and aggressiveness couple with home support ignited GAF’s strength and they covered the set to win the game.

In the female match it was an easy tie for the defending champions as they beat Brikama 3-1 on the same day at Box bar.

Meanwhile on Saturday league favorites Gamtel/Gamcel beat Serrekunda East female team by straight sets 3-0 but the 3 points and the 3 sets were forfeited from the telecom giants by the league organising committee as the former were found wanting of using ineligible players.

In an appeal letter sent to the volleyball federation by Serrekunda East, it stated that Gamtel/Gamcel used two players in Ann Marie Bojang and Muminatou Mbowe without transfers.

Bojang and Mbowe are players of Serrekunda East and there is no contract agreement between Serrekunda East and Gamtel/Gamcel the letter stated. Upon consultation and inquiries the Gambia Volleyball Federation has found Gamtel/Gamcel at fault therefore 3 points and 3 sets are forfeited from them and being awarded to Serrekunda East. The male league fixture between the two teams was called following a heavy down pour.

Gamtel/Gamcel were leading by a set prior to the call off.

Finally on Sunday, GAF returned in a rematch to beat Fire and Rescue Services 3-0 at home and on the same day newbies Kotu lost to Interior 3-0 at Kotu playing ground.

The league table is as follows: In the male league GAF lead with 11points, Serrekunda East with 9 points, and Brikama with 7 points.

In the female Interior lead with 6 points, GAF second with 6 points and Gamtel/Gamcel with 6points as well.

Source: Muhammed Lamin Saidykhan

The Technical Director of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Ebrima Manneh has stated that the GFF is planning to build artificial football fields in every region before their term ends.

The Gambia Football Federation Technical Director was speaking on Tuesday during a media briefing held at the Gambia Press Union Secretariat, in Fajara.

TD Manneh further said that they are embarking on a physical structural development plan to build artificial pitches in each of the regions, adding that they are also aiming to build another technical training centre the same as the one in Yundum.

According to him, GFF will continue to collaborate with FIFA and CAF for the provision of more suitable playing structures and fairly distribution of good pitches in the national league. Manneh added that the qualities of some of the football grounds in the country is going down, while stressing that the Brikama pitch is dead.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Gambian defender and one time stand in captain Omar Colley ( OJ ) will miss out the Scorpions’ campaign to Cameroon later in September due to the double yellow cards he received during the qualifying series.

The combative central defender received two yellow cards during Scorpions’ home matches to Mauritania and South Africa both played at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

OJ would miss out but his central position could be filled by strong man Buba Sanneh with additional options on the flanks by Alieu Jatta and Gregory Sambou on the left and right backs respectively, with goal keeper Alagie Nyabally or Alagi Jobe at their back.

Meanwhile, the invited provisional list of foreign based players are expected to jet into Banjul latest Monday 29th August ahead of their eventual travel to Cameroon for the September 3rd match.

Head Coach Sang Ndong is yet to call his final list of players but is expected to do so in the coming days and would as well call a media conference to explain his state of technical preparedness ahead of the game in Limbe, Cameroon.

Source: gff.com

Cameroon Football Federation has confirmed that the Indomitable Lions’ AfCON Group M qualifier match against the Scorpions of the Gambia, slated for September, would be played at the Limbe Omnisports Stadium, outside Douala.

Both the Federation’s Secretary General and Communications Officer earlier on Monday confirmed that the Limbe Omnisports stadium would be the venue for the Cameroon VS Gambia game which according to the officials is located 60km away from the commercial capital Douala. The officials further confirmed that the Gambian team would be picked up from the Douala International Airport by bus to Limbe where the match would kick off on Saturday 3rd September with less than an hour driving time. The officials further confirmed that kick-off time for the game would be 3pm local time.

Meanwhile, Scorpions Head Coach Sang Ndong has assembled  a local based team currently on training at the Independence Stadium on daily basis. The local based team would be joined by invited foreign based selection amongst them Modou Barrow of English Premier League side of Swansea City FC and his compatriots in Europe and Scandanavia.

Source: gff.com

Ballack FC on Tuesday booked its place in the next round of the Manjai Kunda Nawettan following a marathon 11-10 post-match penalty shootout defeat of Ajax FC. Regulation time ended in a goalless stalemate.

Both teams finished on three points at the end of their three group stage games and Tuesday’s encounter served as a winner takes all playoff for a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

As a result, Ballack FC now joins Kololi United, who finished top of Group B, in the round of 16 stage of the competition.

In the earlier encounter played on Tuesday, Old Hands FC were held to a goalless draw by Box BI FC. Old Hands FC have already qualified to the next stage after registering five points.

By Hadang Daffeh

Jattas FC on Tuesday continued its unbeaten run in the Lamin Nawettan following a 4-0 win over Sanchaba United at the Sanna Jatta Memorial Football Field.

Lamin Manneh was the hero having scored a hat-trick with goals in the 34th, 58th and 80th minutes. Charles Jammeh scored the fourth with five minutes on the clock remaining.

This is the third consecutive win for Jattas after defeating Veterans FC and Harlem FC in their first two games, while Sanchaba United registered no points having suffered a defeat in each of their three group games.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports shortly after the game, Baba Dumbuya, head coach of Jattas FC expressed delight in finishing as group leaders with a maximum nine points. He added that all this victories came through hard work, dedication and commitment from his players.

“I was not surprised about the result, because what was shown from my players proved their capability of winning the game, and as I always say our secret is hard work and cooperation which is very important; as the saying goes, you can take the horse to the stream but you can never force the horse to drink,” Baba said.

He promised their fans to continue this form in the competition, noting that there are more victories on the way, which will be dedicated to their fans.

Meanwhile, the head coach of Sanchaba United could not be available for comment.

by Binta Jammeh & Awa Gassama

T-Central FC and Abuko United are the first two teams to book their places in the next stage of the Serrekunda East Knockout competition following respective wins over Zurich FC and Culture FC on Tuesday.

T-Central defeated Zurich 2-1 with Abdoulie Jawneh (Waterman) scoring a brace. This is the only tournament left for T-Central this year as they were eliminated in the league competition.

Both teams (T-Central and Zurich FC) met in the last game of their group stages but played a goalless stalemate but Zurich and Falcons FC qualified as the two best teams in Group E.

In the late encounter played on Tuesday, Abuko United eliminated Culture 1-0.

Abuko United is also through to the second round of the league competition having finished with five points in their group.

by Arfang MS Camara

The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Abdoulie Kah, has donated two giant trophies to The Gambia Volleyball Federation as his personal support to the African Dream Project.

The Dream Project is one of the most important development projects in the history of volleyball in The Gambia. The  Project is under the supervision of the Federation International Volleyball (FIVB) President Dr Ary Graca.

The project is named “Dr. Ary Graca Volleyball Development Programme for Africa” as it comes from the extreme interest of the World Volleyball Governing body’s desire to help volleyball development from the grassroots level.

The dream project is purely meant for grassroots volleyball and the participants are expected to represent their respective nations in the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) and FIVB Youth championships in the future.

Receiving the trophies, the Project Director in the Gambia Bai Dodou Jallow thanked DPS Kah for his timely intervention in the implementation of the project in the country.

According to him, the African Dream Project is a stepping stone for the development of volleyball in the country and will aid in promoting the game at the grassroots, while urging for the mass involvement across the country.

“It is expected to become a major power in the near future as we have a lot of young people in The Gambia with the talent and strength to play the game.”

The Ministries of Youths and Sports, Basic and Secondary Education and The Gambia National Olympic Committee are the direct partners of The Gambia Volleyball Federation in the implementation process of the project.

Source: Muhammed Saidykhan, GVBF Press Officer

Milan Rossenerri of Bakoteh and Future Stars of Willingara on Wednesday became the latest teams to progress to the next round of the Serekunda East knockout tournament following respective wins over Nguma FC and Falcons.

Milan Rose FC beat Nguma FC 2-1. Henry Jobe and Ousman Sarr scored for Milan Rose while Abdoulie Jassey scored the only goal for Nguma FC in the 81st minute.

Nguma FC is totally eliminated from the Nawettan and will wait until next year while Milan Rose is only left in knockout competition following their elimination from the league.

Future Stars FC also defeated Falcons FC 5-4 on post-match penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw in regulation time.

Speaking in an interview with the assistant coach of Milan Rose, Lamin Darboe expressed delight at the result.

For his part, the head coach of Future Stars FC, Sang Paul Mendy, said they have learned from their past mistakes which led to their defeat against Latrikunda United in their second game of the group stages.

By Jainaba D. Jatta

The defending league champions, Sankum FC and Manga 11 on Wednesday made it through to the next round of the Serrekunda West Nawettan following their respective post-match penalty shoot-out wins over West Coast FC and Unicoms FC.

The Bijilo-based Sankum FC defeated West Coast FC 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.

Sankum FC who had already made it through to the next stage of the league tournament will be competing in both the league and knockout competitions, while West Coast FC are  already eliminated from the knockout and are already in doubt to make it through to the next round of the league after having one point from two matches.

In the later encounter played on Wednesday, Manga 11 also progressed in the next round of the knockout tournament after beating Unicoms FC 4-2 on post-match penalty shoot-outs following a goalless stalemate in regulation time.

Manga 11 FC are on two points after two consecutive draws in their two opening games in the league; Unicoms FC have similar point tally from as many Group C games.

By Fatou Trawally

The much-anticipated rainy season football fiesta in Brikama is in high gear as Berewuleng lost their power in the Nawettan earlier than predicted when they lost to the in-form Orlando FC by a goal to nil last Saturday.

Orlando FC is the only team with nine straight points in the Nawettan.  AC Millan also lost to Yarambamba by a goal to nil to complete the Group B fixtures.

In the game played on Sunday, G-Sarr FC were held to a goalless draw by Chimo FC while Kabafita FC inflicted another misery on Gidda Arrows FC with a 2-0 win in the late game.

Meanwhile, Sky Power FC, Congi-Bi, Orlando, Yarabamba, Chimo, Kabafita, Fortune FC, Misiira FC, Fabou FC, Ajax FC, Jaliba FC and Talli Bi are the teams that made it to the next round of the tournament so far.

The final matches in the group games will end on Saturday and the knockout will kick start on Tuesday, 30th August 2016.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG) will play a friendly football match with The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) tomorrow (Saturday) at the FIFA Goal Project in Yundum.

The boys will play against their male counterparts at 5pm, while the girls will play the GFF girls in the early kick-off at 4pm.

Both sides have been preparing for the game, which is organised to strengthen the already cordial relationship between the sports journalists and the football administrators.

by Fatou Trawally

The Gambia Armed Forces Football Club on Thursday unveiled Ebou Jarra as its new head coach. His appointment came following the departure of Pierre Gomez, who left the club based on mutual consent.

The Gambia Armed Forces Football Club was formed in the early 1990s and has won two major GFF league titles, as well as participating twice in the African Champions League.

Ebou Jarra, who has signed a two-year contract with the soldiers, helped his former team Tallinding United earn promotion to the top flight having finished second in the second division last term.

The soldiers described Jarra as a well-mannered, flexible, honest and hardworking individual with a wide range of experience drawn from a number of challenging paid and voluntary roles. He was also described as having the ability to contribute positively in team building and to motivate others.

Speaking during the unveiling, the Chairman of the GAF FC Board, Brigadier General Momodou Sowe said it’s a very long time since they last won a major title, but noted that with this new coach they hope to become champions in the GFF league.

According to him, they will not make any compromise with the team as they are providing all what the team needs, adding that GAF is one of the few teams in the GFF first division giving their players monthly salaries.

For his part, Ebou Jarra thanked the board of GAF for choosing him, affirming  that this contract is very important for him. He expressed hope to bring more success for the team.

Addressing the players, the new coach said that he does not want just good but great players, saying the reason for saying that is  “good players know where the ball is coming from but great players know where the ball goes to.”

According to him, no burden will be put on the players but instead he urged them to work as a team, saying in other to succeed they need to be collaborative.

Pierre Gomez, GAF former head coach, expressed sadness for the fact that he is leaving the team but noted that in life nothing is permanent.

He promised to give all the necessary support to the team.

By Arfang MS Camara

Kololi Central FC and Talibi FC are the latest teams to qualify to the knockout stages of the ongoing Manjai Kunda Nawettan following respective wins over Fillan FC and Johannes FC on Wednesday.

Kololi Central drew 2-2 with Fillan FC but the draw was enough to earn them a place in the next round with four points, while Fillan FC are eliminated.

In the late encounter, Talibi FC also beat Johannes FC by a lone goal to nil in their last encounter of Group D.

Micheal Touray scored the only goal of the game after 32 minutes, leaving the head coach of Johannes FC whipping after the final whistle.

It was a tough encounter as both teams strived to secure a place in the next round after squandering so many chances but Talibi FC took control of the game.

For his part, head coach of Johannes FC, Babucarr Ndure, expressed disappointment at the final result, saying they were expecting to win. He pointed out that they conceded the goal through a defensive error.

Coach Ndure, however, affirmed that they will take the defeat in good faith and work harder for their next game in the knockout against Aqua Gambia.

BY Hadang Daffeh

The organising committee of the Farafenni Marathon has set 1st October for the sixth edition of the Marathon competition to be held in the North Bank Region town.

Modou Leigh, Media Assistant of the committee told Observer Sports in a telephone interview that everything is set for the competition. He said the event is aimed at supporting community activities in the areas of education and health.

“We are sponsoring four students through this initiative and there are a lot of things we intend to contribute to the social development of the town,” he said.

According to Leigh, this year’s registration is D100, and the race is expected to attract a good number of athletes in the 5km women’s category; from Makka to Farafenni; 10km for men from Chamen and the 15km cycling race from Illiassa to Farafenni.

The Media Assistant revealed that there will be additional activity called ‘Wahu’ which will be open to all.

He appealed to stakeholders within and outside the country to support the event.

By Binta Jammeh

Gambian striker Yusupha Yaffa will not face criminal charges in Germany following an investigation into rape allegations.

The 19-year-old was held in January last year, after a woman claimed she had been sexually attacked by the youngster at a teammate’s apartment.

Following the claim, his former club Eintracht Frankfurt had posted a 100, 000 Euro bail bond, which meant he would only spend a night in custody.

However, a court has now ruled that he will face no further action over the allegations and is cleared of wrongdoing.

A letter from the player’s German lawyer, Klaus G. Walter, reads: “Mr. Yusupha Yaffa, was represented by the issuer as criminal defence attorney. Mr. Yaffa had been reported and arrested under the suspicion of raping a female person in Frankfurt/Main-Germany in January 2015.”

“Following his immediate release on bail, the investigation of his case led to the result, that the suspicion against Mr. Yaffa could not be confirmed in any respect. Therefore, the investigation against Mr. Yaffa was dismissed by the prosecution authority of Frankfurt on May 20th 2016. In the follow-up period, the person who reported the offence did not make use of her right to appeal against the dismissal.”

“As a result, Mr. Yaffa’s innocence stands proven and legally binding, now. Mr. Yaffa is now looking forward to continue his football career exempted from any judicial and public interferences,” it concluded.

Commenting further on the issue to his PR Manager, Modou Lamin Beyai, Yaffa said that he was delighted with the result of the verdict and that he knew he was forever innocent.

“I thank Allah for guiding me through this and proving my innocence in the mater. I knew I did not do anything wrong of what I was accused of. My family, friends and people around me know that I am not a person who would do such, so I am grateful this is now over.”

The Serrekunda-born forward, formerly of AC Milan in the Italian Serie A, further stated that he wants to put this issue behind him to focus on his job on the pitch with German club MSV Duisburg.

“I now want to 100% focus on my work on the field and help my club achieve its objective for the season. The problem has led to me losing focus and properly train with my team but now that it is over, I want to put things behind and continue doing what people know me for, which is scoring goals and playing well for my club.”

Yaffa is current on the sidelines at Duisburg with an injury.

Story Source:

Modou Lamin Beyai

The Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG) boys on Saturday held the GFF to a goalless draw, while the female team of the sports journalists thrashed 6-0 by a much more  formidable GFF ladies.

Played at the FIFA Goal Project in Yundum, both games were conceived by the SJAG as part of activities marking the International Sports Journalists’ Day (ISJD) celebrated 2nd July every year.

The two games were highly attended by members and executives of both SJAG and GFF including Presidents Lamin Kaba Bajo and Musa Sise respectively, even though they were not in action.

The matches were characterised by much fun and fanfare as journalists strengthen the existing cordial relationship with the football authorities.

Speaking after the game, Coach Sang Mendy expressed delight at the huge turnout of sports journalists and commended them for the good performance.

Musa Sise, President of SJAG said such games are important in further strengthening the relationship between SJAG and sporting associations.

He equally commended the journalists for turning up in numbers and expressed hope to see such turnouts in future events organised by SJAG.

By Jainaba Jatta

Ahead of the September 3rd Afcon qualifier encounter between the Scorpions and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Scorpions Coach Sang Ndong has finally confirmed his final list of players to form his squad.

Six foreign based players have made it into the list with the rest serving as home based players. Notable absentees in the squad are Swansea forward Modou Barrow, Yanbian’s Baboucarr Steve Trawally, Hamza Barry and Genks’ Omar Colley.

The team, according to the Football Federation, flew out on Saturday night via Casablanca, Morocco, where they would be joined by the foreign based contingent before flying further to Douala, where the team is further expected to be picked by a bus en route to Limbe (match venue) 60km away.

The game kicks off at 3pm local time.

Final squad

Goalkeepers

Modou Jobe (Niarry-Tally), Alagie Nyabally (Real De Banjul)

Defenders

Alieu Jatta (FC Metz), Bubacarr Sanneh (AC Horsens), Mass Manga ( Hawks ), Nuha Barrow (Gamtel ), Gregory Sambou (Ports Authority), Hamidou Bojang (Brikama United)

Midfielders

Dawda Ngum (FC Holviken), Ebou Kanteh (Real De Banjul), Mustapha Carayol (Middlesbrough), Tijan Jaiteh (KuPS), Lamin Charty (Hawks), Bully Drammeh (Real De Banjul), Sainey Sambou (Brikama United)

Forwards

Lamin Jallow (Chievo Verona), Pa Dodou Darboe (Steve Biko), Assan Ceesay (FC Lugano)

by Alieu Ceesay

Incumbent President Johnny Gomez has been re-elected president of The Gambia Cricket Association at the Association’s elective Congress at the July 22nd Square Hall in Banjul.

At the congress, held last Friday and attended by 74 members, Mr. Johnny Gomez was elected as the President, Mr. Mbye Dumbuya as the Vice President, Mr Wilfred R. Riley as the Secretary General, Mr. Ebrima Darboe as the Assistant Secretary and Mr. Malamin Fofana as the Treasurer.

The President, who according to the constitution is mandated to appoint five members to be part of the Board, appointed in Madam Kumba Njie to represent the female players and National Sports Council, Mr. Peter Campbell to represent the male players, Jamiyu Falano to represent the coaches and match officials, Mr. Yerro Sowe to represent the schools and teachers and Mr. Sainey Badjie to represent the regions.

Journalists Haggie Drammeh and Baboucarr Camara were also appointed as Public Relations Officers of the association.

Mr. Loum from Ebbeh Gi was copted-in to represent the Association as Desk Officer for Serekunda East; Madam Isatou Drameh Desk Officer for Serekunda West; Mr. Andreh Jarju Desk Officer for Banjul and Ismaila Tamba Desk Officer for Bakau.

The re-elected President Johnny Gomez then welcome the new board and urged them to rise up and take their positions, because a new wind of development is blowing, and everybody is needed onboard.

by Fatou Trawally

The 2016 Serrekunda West Modou Inna Sey Memorial Knockout Trophy competition is in full swing at the Serrekunda West mini-stadium.

Last Friday, Old Jeshwang narrowly defeated Jarinton by a lone goal in the 3pm game, as Pipeline won Erinjang 7-6 in a post-match penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw in the 5pm encounter.

On Saturday, Sticklers were awarded the maximum points as Old Hands failed to turn up for the 3pm game, while DK City won Uprising 5-4 in a post-match penalty shoot-out following a goalless stalemate at 5pm.

On Sunday, Ruhagi won DK United 8-7 in a post-match penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 draw in the 9am encounter; Kanifing Layout narrowly eliminated neighbours Kanifing Estate by a lone goal in the 11am game. On the same Sunday, Cambel Town also booked their ticket to the next stage of the competition after a 4-3 post match penalty shoot-out win following a goalless draw, as Tababi also eliminated Happapa 4-3 in a post-match penalty following  goalless draw at regulation time.

At the time of filing this report yesterday (Monday), Manga 11 was preparing to face Kanifing United in the 3pm fixture, while Bijilo-based Sankum FC was to take on Janta Bi at 5pm.

Today’s (Tuesday) fixtures will see Blackpool take on Pipeline at 3pm, while Pencha takes on Old Jeshwang at 5pm.

by Fatou Trawally & Fatou Gassama