Interior volleyball club imposed a double victory over Brikama on Friday in Banjul as they beat the Sateba team straight sets in both genders. The police men needed only 78 minutes to record a 3-0 sweep over Brikama and made a perfect comeback after conceding defeat to Serrekunda East last weekend. Abdoulie Sey and Ahmed Tijan were the game’s top scorers while middle blockers Ebrima and Jahara both added 10 points as Interior won 25-15, 25-17, 25-20. 

In the female events, Interior posed a strong set on the visitors in another 3-0 thriller (25-14, 25-11, 25-10.) in 67 minutes to demolish the young Brikama side. Mariama Ginadou, Isatou Jobarteh, and Tida Sanneh registered 15 points while Sohna added 10 points to her name. One of the league’s youngest female players Fatou Sillah, fondly called Germano at age 14 was the game’s highest scorer with 18 points. Dinking through the Interior block, she recorded 15 spikes but her dominance could not pave way for her team.

On Saturday, Serrekunda East nearly make the biggest shock in the season after inventing win loss ratio against the Gambia Armed Forces men’s team at the Fajara Barracks.

Earlier on in the first set, SK East were the ones who posed the threat, and indeed scared their opponents. Without Sainey Jawo, Modou Njie and Kebba Ceesay Serrekunda East are still force to be reckoned with.

Impressive teamwork where it was almost scarily instinctive how the timing between players was co-ordinated allowed the visitors to dominate 10-5, with Siaka Bargie reading her teammates accurately, delivering accurate for spikes to be sent spinning to the opponents’ side.

A time-out was called by GAF in hopes of recovering the set. Serrekunda East showed their defensive prowess with a dig, preventing the ball from reaching the ground and settled the first set. With two sets in the bag for both teams, the coaches knew it was their last shot, and fight they did. The deciding set was followed with great rally which left even spectators gasping for air, where both teams displayed superb spikes, blocks, and saves, with the point eventually going to GAF as they won 15-12 to sit top on the national standings.

And finally on Sunday Interior’s men’s team returns to the court to register a victory over YMCA in 3 straight sets 25-14, 25-17, 27-25. The other Sunday fixture between Gamtel/Gamcel and Kotu was called off because Kotu did not appear at the ground thus the 3 points were given to Gamtel/Gamcel

Story Source:

Muhammed Lamin Saidykhan

Hamang Conteh’s 22nd minute stunning strike was enough for Lamin to beat Sanyang on Sunday to clinch the Sanneh Mentereng trophy at the Brikama Box Bar Mini Stadium.

Both sides traveled with their fans to Brikama with the hope of clinching the maiden trophy in West Coast Region.

Lamin started the game brightly, pushing hard for a goal.  Their early dominance was rewarded when skipper Hamang Conteh crafted in a superb free-kick at the back of the net in the 22nd minute which sent his fans  into a jubilant mood.

Sanyang’s Tijan Jatta and Abdou Bojang  both came close to ensuring parity in the game but Lamin net-minder Ensa Badgie stood firm to nullify all the attempts.

Tapha manneh, who guided the Lamin team to victory, thanked his players and urged the Lamin zonal team coach to maintain the team because the tournament can serve as a good preparation.

His opponent Peter J Mendy of Sanyang thanked the organisers for the peaceful tournament  and urged the super nawettan organising committee to  consider them as a  recognised Nawettan zone.

As winners, Lamin went home with a giant trophy and a cash price of D1000, while Sanyang pocketed a consolation prize of D1000

Hamang Conteh was given a small trophy for scoring the only goal of the final game.

The tournament was organised by teams representatives of Brikama Sports Committee to raise fund for Brikama United to participate in the CAF competition.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

1-0 it ended, as BradFord on Monday evicted Culture FC out of the ongoing 2016 Sere-kunda East Sports Development Organisation-organised knockout trophy.

Kebba Manneh scored the only goal to give his side a victory in the 30th minute of the regulation time.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports, the head coach of BradFord, Lamin Manneh expressed delight at the performance of his players.

Describing his players as young but talented, he promised to continue encouraging his players to do more in the Nawettan.

For his part, the head coach of Culture, Seedy Barrow congratulated his opponent on their victory, and  lamented his side’s failure to win.

By Jainaba D. Jatta

2015 league winner Bijilo-based Sankum FC and Kanifing United were the latest teams to book their places to the next stage of the Serrekunda West Modou Inna Sey Memorial Knockout trophy championship following their respective wins over Jantabi  and Manga 11 on Monday at the jam packed West Park.

Characterised by singing and dancing by fans clubs,  Sankum defeated Jantabi 2-0, while Kanifing United won Manga 11 by 6-5 in a post-match penalty shoot-out following a hard-fought goalless encounter in regulation time.

by Fatou Trawally

& Fatou Gassama

Kololi United FC and Father Gough Academy on Saturday became the latest teams to progress to the next round of the Manjai kunda knockout tournament following respective wins over Campeh bi FC and Marimoo FC.

Brusubi phase 2 beat Guiguie FC 3-0 on post-match penalty shoot-out following a goalless drAw in the regulation time.

Fillan FC is also eliminated from the Nawettan by Cosmos and will have to wait until next year to try a chance for any silverware.

Talibi FC also defeated Selection FC 2-0 in the knockout stage.

In other games, Lemon Tree defeat Darusalam 3-0, as Dippa Kunda Ajax won Kololi Academy 12-11 in a marathon post-match penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw.

Abdoulie Bah, committee member of Manjai kunda Nawettan told Observer Sports that he was delighted by the maximum discipline that players always show out during their games.

At the time of going to press on Tuesday, Ajax was preparing to take on Kololi Central at 2:30pm, while Lonestar was to take on Ballack FC at 4:30pm.

Today’s (Wednesday) fixture will see Star Light take on BK City at 2:30pm and Tababi take on Brusubi Pak Food at 4:30pm.

By Hadang Daffeh

In their quest to raise adequate funds for the successful participation of Brikama United in the CAF Club competition, Brikama Sports Committee will be launching “Brikama United’s road to CAF” next Saturday morning at the Box Bar mini stadium.

In an Observer Sports interview, Karamo Jarju, Secretary General of BSC said the event will be used to sensitise the stakeholders on their objectives  of taking part in the upcoming CAF priminary round.

“All stakeholders should be involved because Brikama Utd is not for BSC; we are only managing  the team on behalf of the community of Brikama,” he told our Brikama-based reporter.

According to SG Jarju, different committees have been set up to help mobilise the needed resources.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Gambian international Tijan Jaiteh has  joined the Scorpions at their training camp in Rabat, Morocco. The Finland-based Gambian mid fielder jetted on Monday evening from his club base at KuPS FC.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, Chievo Verona forward Lamin Jallow, Dawda Ngum of FC Holviken in Sweden, Buba Sanneh of AC Horsens in Denmark and Assan Ceesay of FC Lugano in Switzerland had all arrived. Mustapha Carayol from Middlesbrough is expected to join the camp later on Tuesday night. China based Gambian international and youngster Bubacarr Trawally will not be able to make the trip.

The team’s earlier plans for a warm-up match with Morocco CHAN Team on Wednesday, August 31st was brought to Tuesday, 30th August at the Morocco Football Federation Goal Project in Rabat at 5pm local time.

The test game is to allow coach Sang Ndong to test his Scorpions ahead of their match to Cameroon on Saturday, September 3rd in Limbe.

The Scorpions will later on Thursday night flow out to Douala and trek to Limbe 60km where the match will kick off.

Source:gff.gm

Latri-kunda-based football team Ebbeh Gi Tuesday secured its first win in the 2016 SESDO nawettan following a 4-2 post-match penalty shoot-out win over United Stars after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Pap Sallah gave United Stars the lead just 15 Minutes into the game, before Ebbeh Gi’s Ismaila Badgie found the back of the net to ensure parity.

Speaking to Observer Sports after the final whistle, head coach of Ebbeh Gi, Muhammad Demba expressed delight for the victory in the knockout stage. He however admitted that his opponent was the better side.

He attributed to the lack of goals for his side to what he says “poor striking”.

by Jainaba D. Jatta

The Gambia team to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games returned home on Friday after an encouraging performance restoring more hope for the country in next Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

The delegation were received at the Banjul international Airport by officials from The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) headed by second Vice President Abdoulie Jallow, officials from the Gambia Athletics Association, a group of cyclists from the Gambia Cycling Association and a cross section of the press.

Despite not winning medals at the Games, The Gambian delegation used their presence in Rio to network with partners with the aim of ushering more international supports to the development of Gambian Sports.

In addition to the US $75,000.00 worth of equipments and sports infrastructure from the President of the International Handball Association (IHF) to the Gambia Handball Association, The Gambia National Olympic Committee leadership had a fruitful meeting with organizers of next year’s Islamic Games Baku 2017.

The delegation comprising of GNOC president Momodou Dibba, Secretary General Peter Prom and Treasurer Ousman Wadda discussed the possibility for the organizers of the games to support Gambia’s participation as they intend to register nine (9) Sports Associations to the games in Azerbaijan.

According to the GNOC treasurer, Ousman Wadda who doubles as chairman of the Technical Committee of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF), the outcome of the meeting at the sideline of the Rio games was positive as Baku 2017 organizers promise to explore ways of supporting Gambia’s participation to the Islamic Games.

In another development, another GNOC team comprising of first Vice President and IOC member Mrs. Beatrice Allen and Treasurer Ousman Wadda met the President of Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) in a bid to get support for martial arts (Judo, Karate, and Taekwondo) and athletics in preparation for next Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

It could be noted that the Gambia competed in athletics, Judo and Swimming at the just concluded 31st Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.

Athletes Adama Jammeh and Miss Gina Bass finished 5th in their 200m heats and were ranked 38th and 52nd position respectively while Gambian-finish based Judoka Faye Njie lost to Kazakhstan’s Champion   Didar Khamza on technical point after five minutes of tough fight.

Gambia’s   young Swimmer Pap D. Jonga competed in   the 50m freestyle and finished 8th position with the timing of 27.48 which was not enough to get him to the second round.

 Source: Namory Trawally

Just Back from Rio, Brazil

Ahead of The Gambia’s AfCON match to Cameroon slated for Saturday 3rd September in Limbe, the Gambia’s Scorpions as part of their technical preparation ahead of that game, played out a warm up game to Moroccan League Div One club RSB on Tuesday evening to one nil defeat in Rabat.

RSB scored their only goal before the break at first half and Gambia regrouped to make amends after the resumption from the dock out but could only not find the back of their opponents net and thus resorted to not conceding to further deficits.

Finland based Gambian international Tijan Jaiteh was the captain for the Scorpions on the night while Buba Sanneh, Gregory Sambou and Alieu Jatta sealed the back for goal keeper Alagi Jobe.

The Scorpions pushed much harder for an equalizer through forward sensation Lamin Jallow and Dawda Ngum’s push from the right forward but their efforts were thwarted by RSB rock defence.

The game ended one nil to the hosts RSB and Coach Sang Ndong would now prepare for the Saturday game in Limbe at 3pm. The Scorpions would do their final training on Wednesday morning before their travel to Douala on Thursday night.

Source: gff.gm

Pencha and Blackpool have confirmedtheir places in the quarterfinals of the SK West Modou Inna Sey Memorial Knockout Trophy following respective wins over Old Jeshwang and Pipeline on Tuesday evening.                                        

Pencha defeated Old Jeshwang in the 3pm game, while Blackpool eliminated a shambolic Pipeline side 2-0 courtesy of Alhasana Camara and Sainey Colley in the 21st and 30th minutes.

In a post-match interview with Observer Sports, Matarr Ceesay, head coach of Old Jeshwang told Observer Sports that he accepted the defeat in good faith. He however, blamed his players for the numerous wasted chances, which could have earned them a convincing win.

Babucarr Koma, head coach of the winning Pencha was quite an elated coach while commending his players for the good display.

He assured that Pencha will make it to the finals and urged on the fans to keep cheering the team.

by Fatou Trawally &

Fatou Gassama

Nottingham Forest have signed Gambia’s international winger Mustapha Carayol from Middlesbrough and striker Nicolao Dumitru on loan from Napoli.

The Reds still hope to make one, if not two, further additions to their squad, before yesterday’s (Wedesday) transfer deadline.

They were among a clutch of clubs trailing former Manchester United and West Ham man Ravel Morrison. Forest also have an interest in West Brom’s Callum McManaman, but could get priced out of a move for him, with the likes of big spending Newcastle understood to be interested, among other clubs.

But the Reds have tonight added Carayol on a two-year contract from newly promoted Middlesbrough, while much travelled Swedish born former Italian under-20 international Dumitru has joined for the rest of the season.

Carayol, 27, has won three international caps with Gambia, and had loan spells at Leeds and Huddersfield last season.

His career began with MK Dons, before spells with Crawley, Torquay, Kettering, Lincoln and Bristol Rovers, before signing for Middlesbrough in August 2012. He has made 162 starts during his career in all competitions, along with 85 sub appearances, scoring 35 goals in the process.

Dumitru is equally well travelled. After joining Napoli from Empoli, the 24-year-old later returned to Empoli on loan, before further loan spells at Termana, Cittadella, Reggina, Viera and Latina.

Dumitru was born in Sweden, to a Romanian father and a Brazilian mother, before moving to Italy as a child. He has represented Italy at under-19 and under-20 level.

He has made 143 professional appearances for his clubs, scoring 21 goals in the process. Last season, during a loan spell with Latina in the Italian second tier, he scored seven goals in 34 appearances, in what was his most prolific campaign.

Forest are also still exploring their options when it comes to adding another forward player and another wide man, before tomorrow’s 11pm deadline and expect to do at least one further deal.

With £13m available following the decision to sell Oliver Burke to German club RB Leipzig, Forest are expected to invest some money on their next addition or additions, having done frugal business so far.

And they could yet return to do more business with Middlesbrough, with both Jordan Rhodes and David Nugent understood to be high on their list of potential targets.

Forest would face significant competition for both players, but particularly Rhodes, who is also attracting interest from Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves.

The Reds were also pondering a surprise move for Nicklas Bendtner, the Danish international striker.

The 28-year-old is currently a free agent after having his contract paid up by Wolfsburg towards the end of last season.

After coming through the ranks at Arsenal, Bendtner had loan spells at Birmingham, Sunderland and Juventus, before joining the German club in 2014.

The striker has scored 29 goals during his 72 caps for his country, but has failed to live up to his early potential in his club career.

Forest may yet persuade him to take on another fresh start at the City Ground.

Source: Nottingham Post

The assistant coach of Serrekunda East nawettan side Cannon,  Kebba Sanyang has described goal scoring as a problem that the Gambian strikers are facing in the side of football

Manneh was speaking with Observer Sports after his side defeated Leeds United 4-2 on a post-match penalty shoot-out in the East Bi knockout.

Now that his side has progress to the next stage, Coach Manneh urged his fans to be patient as his team was the first to sit in the league competition but this time it will be different as his boys will play their level best to take the knockout trophy this season.

By Jainaba D. Jatta

Brusubi Pak Food and BK City were on Wednesday the latest teams to progress to the next round of the Manjai kunda knockout tournament following their respective wins over Tabali FC and Starlight FC .

Brusubi Pak Food beat Tabali FC 4-3 on post match penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw in the regulation time .Starlight FC got eliminated by BK City from the completion with a 4-0 post-match penalty shoout-out following a goalless stalemate.

In a post match interview with Observer Sports, Kawsu Sanyang, head coach of Brusubi PAK food expressed delight for winning his first game in knockout stages by collection the 3 points.

by Hadang Daffeh

In line with the Ministry’s quest to excel in sport through mass participation by catching athletes while they are young as well as create a platform for children and youth to develop their skills and potentials to the fullest, the National Sports Council and the National Youth Council under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports will kick-starts its Summer Youth and Sports camp today (Friday) morning.

The camp, according to organisers, will engage about one hundred and twenty children between the age of 10  –  15 years from all regions of the Gambia to horn and nurture their skills and talents in sports and youth related matters.

This year’s Youth and Sports Summer Camp will be held at the Friendship Hotel in Bakau from 1st –  7th September 2016.

by Fatou Trawally &

Fatou Gassama

In the 2016 Bakau nawettan, Apex FC was the latest team to progress in the next round of the knockout after beating Kachikally FC by 1-0.

Jibou Njie of Apex FC scored the only goal to give his side a victory in the early minutes of the first half.

In what was highly attended game, fans turned up in numbers to support and cheer their favourite teams.

In the league round of sixteen, Container FC silenced Red Star with a narrow 1-0 courtesy of Muhamed Bajilly’s goal.

by Alhagie Babou Jallow

Berewuleng FC on Tuesday made an amendment to their league debacle as they ended Soccer Stars participation in the nawettan on a post-match penalty shoot-out.

Bere as they are fondly call were knock-out of the League competition, but put back a glimmer of hope to their loyal fans on Tuesday as they won 5-3 from the penalty spot.

Earlier on, Dangam also put an end to the Sifoe-based  Ecomog in the naweetan as they defeated them by 2-1.

On Wednesday at 3pm, New Town defeated Gidda Arrows by a lone goal in the Knockout race.

At 5pm,  Farato-based Fortune FC defeated Darsilameh United 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Benghazi on Wednesday silenced Sticklers in the Serrekunda West Modou Inna Sey Memorial Trophy with 2-1 win at a highly attended encounter at the West Mini-stadium.

In an Interview with Observer Sports after the game, happy-looking Antu Badjan,head coach of Benghazzi praised his players for the brilliant performance resulting to the win.

According to him, his side is also very hopeful of making it in the league competition too.

Ousman Faal, head coach of Sticklers was quite disappointed with the final result. His side, he told this medium, has been training very hard for the game.

Meanwhile,  Kogne bi also advance in the knock-out competition after a 1-0 win over D,K City courtesy of Abdoulie Gassama in the 63 minutes.

Knockout Quarter-Final Starts today

The quarter final stage of the Knockout starts today (Friday) when Bijilo-based Sankum FC takes on Pencha at 3pm, while Kanifing United faces Blackpool at 5pm.

On Saturday (tomorrow), Tababi faces Kogne Bi at 3pm, while Benghazzi rub shoulders with  Ruhagi at 5pm.

By Fatou Trawally &

Fatou Gassama

The knockout competition of the 2016 Bakau Newetaan is in full swing at the coastal settlement’s sandy football field at the Independence Stadium.

On Thursday, Prime Saudi prevailed over Kansala FC on a post-match penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw at regulation time.

Meanwhile, the encounter between Linguer FC and Farokono ended in a 1-1 draw at regulation time but Farokono emerged winners on penalty shoot-out.

Ron Mango FC was awarded the maximum points as opponent  Faji Kunda failed to turn up for the game.

Galaxy are also through to the next stage after they eliminated Blackpool by 3- 1 on a post penalty shoot-out.

Saturday’s games could not go ahead due to the heavy downpour.

By Alhagie Babou Jallow

The head coach of the FA Cup winners Brikama United, Sulayman Kuyateh is optimistic that his side will be the first Gambian domestic football side to pass the preliminary rounds and participate in the proper CAF club competition group stages.

Kuyateh was speaking to Observer Sports during the well-attended  launching of the “Road to CAF” Competition by the Brikama Sports Committee at the Box Bar Mini Stadium.

“I want to promise all of you that Brikama United will be the first team in The Gambia to qualify to the CAF group stages,” he said before multitude supporters and well wishers.

Sulayman Kuyateh, UEFA C Licence and CAF B Licence holder urged fans to come out and support them any time they are playing.

“When I started coaching Brikama United, many people said I am young and I cannot do it but I proved them wrong with determination,” Kuyateh, who is also a Diploma holder in Law told the gathering.

Meanwhile, stakeholders that attended the event, including the GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo, all pledged to support the team financially to meet the required budget to participate in the competition.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh