Greater Tomorrow and Puntalana have both book places to the 2016 Brikama nawettan League quarterfinals following their respective wins over Ajax and Tallibi in the round of 16.

In an academy dwell between G-Tomorrow and Ajax, fans turnout in large numbers to watch the game.

Both teams played a fascinating football, but were not able to unlock each other’s defense, thus it settled in the post mach penalty shout-out.

The 5pm game on Tuesday was between the league champions Fabou and Jaliba, but the game couldn’t decide the winner due to darkness. The game was then rescheduled for replay on Monday.

On Wednesday at 3pm, Puntalana edged out Talli bi fc 9-8 in a penalty shootout after a stalemate goalless draw.  At 5pm, Samba Bah’s secomd half header sent Gidda youths packing in the league as Nema continues their fine performance in the league.

Knockout Round 16

At the time of going to press yesterday

(Thursday), Dangam was to play with Berewuleng at 3pm in the Knockout competition Round of 16.

At 5pm, Newtown was to play against Fortune fc.

Today’s (Friday) game is between Orlando against Conge Bi at 5pm.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The head coach of Ballack FC, Boto Manneh and Kawsu Sanyang of Bayern Central FC were the latest teams’ coaches to rejoice after beating their respective opponents, Brusubi Phase 2 and Brusubi Pak Food in the league quarterfinal stages.

Both teams have made an amendment to their previous league and knockout encounters as they both (Ballack FC and Bayern Central) book their place to the semifinal of the league tournament, in games played at the Manjai Father Gough Complex.

Ballack FC side was on Wednesday advance after a 3-2 post-match penalty shootout win following a stalemate in the regulation period.

In the late encounter on Wednesday, Bayern Central FC also eliminated Brusubi Pak Food after a 4-2 post-match penalty shootout win in the league quarterfinal match.

The Ballack head coach Boto Manneh expressed to Observer Sports how delighted he was with his side brilliant performances during the game, while urging their fans for their unflinching supports.

Meanwhile, the head coach of Bayern Central could be reach for a post-match interview.

by Hadang Daffeh

The assistant coach of Universal Academy FC, Faburama Sanyang, has hailed his team’s good spirit and performance following their 4-3 post-match penalty shoot-out win over Gambinos FC. The game, that was played at the Sandy Sanna Jatta Memorial Football Complex in Lamin, saw regulation time ending in a goalless stalemate.

This victory helped Universal Academy book its place in the semifinals of the Lamin Knockout tournament, while Gambinos FC are completely eliminated from both tournaments.

The Universal Academy FC assistant coach, who was speaking in an interview with Observer Sports, was left to rue his players’ profligacy in front of goal.

Coach Sanyang went on to recognise the efforts of their fans, while urging them to keep the spirit.

For his part, the head coach of Gambinos FC, Modou Lamin Touray expressed delight with the performance of his players despite the defeat.

“I accept the defeat and happy to reach this level for the first time. My main concern was to prepare my players for the third division football, so this defeat would not affect us, as this is just a league tournament,” he concluded.

by Binta Jammeh &

Binta Bah

Gambia Police Force’s Mariama T Jallow last Sunday, September 18, broke the Gambian record in the marathon (42,2 km) in Kassel, Germany.

Prior to her latest triumph, the police long distance runner broke many national records. She broke the national record of Gambia on the marathon with 13-minute difference and she also broke the record on the 10 km and the half marathon.

It would be recalled that Mariama T Jallow  has been invited to train in Iten, Kenya. In this home of champions she wanted to become faster and train in the right way to put Gambia on the world map of athletics.

This was possible with the help of a few Dutch people who believed in her. The 22-year old finished 4th in the Kassel Marathon with a time of 2.44.59. This was 13 minutes faster than her first marathon in Dakar February 14, 2016.

“I am so very happy with this result,” said Mariana.

“My hard work is being rewarded and with this time I can qualify for the world championship Marathon 2017 in London.”

She added, “Off course I want to become faster, better and continue what I started. But this can only happen with the help of new sponsors, because training in Kenya or Ethiopia is very expensive. But very necessary to make Gambia belongs to the best athletic countries of the world.”

This piece of news was provided by Ivonne Hulsebos, of Kinderhulp, a dutch NGO kinderhulp that helps is involve in childcare in The Gambia.

Source: Sang Mendy

An own-goal after eight minutes of the semifinal game between Future Stars FC and Ebbeh Gi FC was enough to secure the Willingara based team Future Stars FC a place in the finals of the Serekunda East knockout tournament following a very tense encounter played at the Serekunda East Mini-Stadium on Wednesday.

Ebbeh Gi FC, who have one of the best fan-based in the Serekunda East football tournament earlier exited the league competition following their poor start to the season, while Future Stars FC are currently participating in both the league and knockout competitions.

Meanwhile, the Serekunda East 2016 Nawettan reaches its climax as the committee has announced 30th September 2016 as the date for the much anticipated knockout final between the unbeaten Milan FC and Future Stars FC.

In the other semifinal matches in the league tournament on Saturday, Milan FC will play Maccassa FC, while the defending champions Medina FC will lock horns with Future Stars FC on Sunday. The final of the league tournament is slated for 2nd October 2016.

By Arfang MS Camara

All roads lead to the Serrekunda West Mini-Stadium where Bijilo-based Sankum FC takes on Latrikunda German-based Tababi FC tomorrow (Saturday) in the finals of the 2016 Serrekunda West Modou Inna Sey Memorial Nawettan Knockout competition.

Both sides have a good campaign in this year’s tournament and the final is one that promises a lot, both on and off the pitch.

In an Observer Sports interview ahead of tomorrow’s final, Sang Marie Sambou, Secretary General of SWESO urged fans and players to maintain maximum discipline before, during and after the final.

He informed Observer Sports that the final would be graced by the Minister of Health, Dr. Omar Sey and delegation, officials of The Gambia Football Federation, the National Sports Council, representatives from all zones as well as stakeholders and friends of SWESO.

“Everything is set in terms of security, referees and all that is required to host a successful final. The tickets are D25 and D15,” Sambou said.

by Fatou Trawally &

Fatou Gassama

Pierre Gomez has been appointed as the head coach of the Brikama Zonal team ahead of the next month Super Nawettan Championship. The former Lamin United and Gambia Armed Forces head coach, who is also coaching a team in Brikama Nawettan has expressed delight at his new appointment and is ready to deliver good as expected.

“I am proud of Brikama, and I thank the technical committee for selecting me as the coach of the zonal team for the next month’s Super Nawettan tournament. It is a step forward for me in my career coaching Brikama, ” Gomez statd in an interview with Observer Sports.

Pierre Gomez, who was sacked as the head coach of GAF male first division team after a dismal performance in the 1st division league, said that despite their home-match ban by the Super Nawettan Committee, things will go well for him this season.

“Playing at home and playing away are all the same as far as I am concern. The fans will be behind us and they will travel to support us away, ” the newly appointed coach revealed.

The Brikama zonal team will currently serve a one year home match suspension after they were charged for violent conduct in October 2015, but the ban was lifted after an appeal letter was sent to the SOC.

The Sateba Zonal team has won the tournament once in history, under Coach John Ndure in 2012 after they defeated their arch rivals Bakau 3-2 at the Serekunda East Mini-Stadium.

By Modou Lamin Drammeh

The Latrikunda German-based-team Tababi FC on Saturday were crowned champions of the 2016 Modou Inna Sey Memorial Serekunda West Knockout tournament following a 2-0 defeat over the last year’s league champions Sankum FC of Bijilo.

The game that was witnessed by many football loving fans, spectators and dignitaries was played at the Serekunda West Mini-Stadium.

Omar Jallow’s 45th minute goal in the first half, and Harouna Jammeh’s fine strike in the 75th minute were enough to crown Tababi champions of this year’s SWESDO Knockout tournament.

Speaking in an interview with reporters shortly after the game, the head coach of Tababi FC, Malang Sanneh expressed happiness after winning the knockout tournament trophy, saying  this is their second time winning this trophy.

”We have shown the people that we are the best players in Serrekunda West because many teams have tried but what my team (Tababi) played today made me cry ”, the joyful coach said.

According to him, they have been training since before the start of the Ramadan, while saying that he knew what his players are going to do in this year’s SWESDO Nawettan.

He thanked the Serekunda West committee for their good work in this year’s tournaments.

Saikou Jobe, head coach of Sankum FC said that the game was tough admitting that his opponent prepared very well and also played a good game.

The coach of the losing side said that this is very disappointed with the central referee as he denied them a penalty which he said was very clear, while finally hailing the performance of his players since the start of the tournament up to the final.

The Tallinding Kunjang-based Milan FC have booked their places to the finals of the Serekunda East Nawettan trophies following their latest league semifinal win over Maccassa FC, on Saturday.

Milan FC’s semifinal victory came after Saikou Sanyang’s lone goal in the 73rd minute of the second half, leaving the Fajikunda-based team, Maccassa FC and their fans disappointed.

This mouth-watering game was watched by thousands of football lovers.

It was yet another hard luck for Macccassa FC as they looked for being finalists for the first time in Serekunda East in several years.

This victory left many Serekunda East and Milan FC fans vindicated after they predicted for Milan to play both finals in this year’s competitions. They earlier beat BJ Academy by the same scoreline to book their place in the knockout final.

This Milan FC young talented side started this Serekunda East season very impressive wining all their games and drawing once in their league group stage matches. Milan FC team will face either Future Stars or Medina FC.

The Tallinding Kunjang based team will face either Future Stars or Medina FC. They  will be aiming to win both trophies after showing an impressive performances since the start of the Nawettan season.

Speaking in an interview shortly after the game, the head coach of Milan FC, Ebrahim Kalil Dumbuya, expressed gratitude to his team after making a history by reaching double finals in Serekunda East Nawettan, for the first time.

He said Milan FC is not new in Serekunda East football as they last won the league trophy in 2013, adding that reaching both SESDO finals is real development in his coaching career.

For his part, the assistant coach of Maccassa FC, Kebba Kujabi expressed disappointment for the final score of the game, noting that lack of concentration led to his team’s defeat over Milan FC.

According to him, the other problem resulting to their defeat is the missing of their two brilliant strikers.

By Arfang MS Camara &

Jainaba D Jatta

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) is  in full preparations for the forthcoming FIFA Live Your Goals (LYG) girls’ festival slated to take place in October.

The 4th edition of the LYG will be staged in Jarra Soma, in LRR.

The GFF Women’s Football Coordinator, Sainey Sissohore, and her colleague Youth and Grassroots Manager Alhagie Ebrima Nyassi have recently visited the event ground in Soma to discuss with the relevant stakeholders the logistics and other important plans for the successful hosting of the event.

The Live Your Goals Girls festival will be staged in provincial Gambia for the second time in the year.

The first two editions of the girls’ festival were staged in Kombo at the now refurbished National Technical Training Centre in Yundum (FIFA Goal project ) while the North Bank Region hosted the 3rd edition in May at the Farafenni mini stadium.

The objective of the LYG is to increase the awareness of women’s football and to encourage the participation of girls to play football amongst others.

The forthcoming event is expected to attract more than five hundred girls who will also receive technical training from the Live Your Goals Ambassadors and take part in different games during the event. The occasion would be graced by GFF Executive Committee members, football stakeholders and a cross-section of the community in LRR.

Source: gff.com

One of the Lamin Nawettan heavy weight teams Jatta’s FC and Si Pah Bi FC over the weekend were eliminated from the ongoing Lamin Knockout quarterfinal competition following a 6-5 post-match penalty shoot-out win and a lone goal defeat over Prison FC and Medina FC in a game played at the Lamin Sanna Jatta’s Memorial Football Ground.

Jatta’s FC and Si Pah BI FC are  two of the toughest teams in Lamin Football tournament but they were undermined and beaten by their opponents Prison FC and Medina FC on shootout and lone goal. These two teams are having the largest fan-based which entertain and cheers not only their teams but the crowds as well

Prison FC eliminated Jatta’s FC on 6-5 post-match penalty shootout following a goalless stalemate in the regulation period. This defeat has eliminated Jatta’s FC in the knockout tournament are only left with the league competition to participate, while Prison FC advanced to the next round of the competition.

Medina FC lone goal victory over Si Pah BI FC was enough to progressed to the next stage of the Lamin Knockout tournament after leaving the largest Si Pah BI fans-based and their management disappointed with the score-line

These two teams (Prison FC and Medina FC) has surprisingly eliminated one of the strongest sides in Lamin as they are now through to the semifinal of the tournament, and now the question will be which teams amongst these two will go for the knockout trophy after pulling out the toughest teams.

By Binta Bah and Binta Jammeh

As the Super Nawettan Organising Committee (SOC) prepared for the 2016 Zonal grouping today (Tuesday) evening at the Football House, the Serrekunda Central Zone’s participation remains a doubt.

Out of the 12 participating zones, SK Central remains the only zone yet to start their nawettan season.

Chaos and instability have marred the zone’s football recently and the OC of the Super Nawettan and Gambia Football Federation should look into the possibilities to resolve the problems at the zone.

By Arfang MS Camara

The head coach of the defending champions of the league tournament, Medina FC has expressed his ambition to retain league trophy by winning the 2016 league competition following their 2-1 victory over Future Stars FC in the semifinal game played at the Serekunda East Mini-Stadium on Sunday.

Sanna Jabang and Jerreh Sanyang’s respective strikes in the 47th and 50th minutes of the second half were enough to give their side the ticket to the final of the tournament for the second consecutive season.

Future Stars FC’s Modou Njie’s58th minute goal was not enough to restore parity for his side.

Quite aware of the task ahead in the final against unbeaten Milan FC, the Medina FC Coach Sanna Darboe said his team is very composed and collective. Most of his players were playing for Tallinding United in the GFF Division League, Two of them who are now promoted to the first division.

By Jainaba D. Jatta

The head coach of Future Stars has accused Serekunda East Sports Development Committee (SESDO) of being bias and corrupt following his side’s loss to Medina FC on Sunday in the semi final stages of the 2016 league competition.

In an Observer Sports interview, Coach Lamin Jarju alleged that the Serekunda East Committee is always bias and corrupts the referees to favour the Tallinding-based Medina FC against any other side.

Future Stars got eliminated after a 2-0 defeat courtesy of Medina FC’S Sanna Jabang and Jerreh Sanyang, but according to Jarju, the penalty awarded by the referee that resulted to the second goal was baseless and unreasonable. “Medina FC was practically helped by the referees and instructed by the Serekunda East Committee (SESDO). If the game was officiated fairly then Medina would not have scored those two dubious goals. They have been helped by the referees and instructed by the Committee that they have to support Medina FC to reach to the final,” he alleged to Observer Sports.

The furious looking gaffer went on with his accusation: “We overheard the Serekunda East Committee’s discussion with the referees that Future Stars FC must not play to finals. I swear to the Holy Quran for what I am saying; even the fourth referee of today’s game was part of that discussion.”

With Future Stars set to play the knockout final against Milan on Friday, Jarju told this medium that his side was yet to receive its semi-final gate-takings of D3,300.

Observer Sports will get the Committee’s reaction.

By Arfang MS Camara

The 2016 Manjai Kunda Knockout tournament final is slated for Friday, 30th September between Ballack FC and D’Dolphins FC in a final game to be played at the Father Gough Sports Complex in Manjai Kunda.

Ballack FC book their place to the final after defeating Johannes FC by a  goal in the semfinal encounter last weekend.

Ballack FC is participating in both the league and the knockout competition and aiming to secure both trophies.

D’Dolphins FC also made it through to the final following their lone goal win over Kololi Central FC.

by Hadang Daffeh

The Grouping for the 2016 Super Nawettan, better known as “Zonal” was held yesterday (Tuesday) at the Football House in Kanifing.

At the grouping ceremony, Group A comprise of the defending champions SK West, SK Central, Lamin, Brikama, BEM and Manjai.

Group B comprised last year’s runners-up Sukuta, SK East, Brufut, Bakau, Gunjur and Banjul.

The draw was meant to determine the grouping of zones ahead of the start of 2016 championship slated for 8th October.

The proposed venues for games at the time were, Banjul, SK West, SK East, Manjai, Banjul, Box Bar mini stadium and Independence Stadium.

The Super Nawettan still remains as the most watch and cherished football tournament in The Gambia providing so many surprises, on and off the pitch.

Ba Jabbi, chairman of the Organizing Committee opened the ceremony by applauding the members of the press for their critical role in the hosting of the previous editions.

He assured that this year’s championship is going to be different with 3rd and 4th places determine.

According to him, the semi final and final will be held at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

“We are also working together with the Sports Journalists’ Association (SJAG) to host a Miss Super Nawettan on the final of the championship,” Jabbi inform the press.

Pamodou Faal, Secretary General of the Super Nawettan Organising Committee said the tournament is set to start on the 8th October and will last for three weeks.

12 Zones are going to take part, but a particular zone that will not play home games, according to Faal, is Brikama Zonal Team following their last year’s ban, which was later lifted by the committee.

He therefore, urged on zonal sports committees to advised their fans and players to maintain high sense of discipline during the tournament.

Bakary B Baldeh is the Publicity and Marketing Officer at the GFF. He reaffirmed his office’s support to the successful staging of the competition.

The super nawettan, he said is a product of GFF but outsource to an Organising committee.

He concludes that FIrst International Bank is going to sponsor the tournament.

SK Central

The participation of SK Central was an issue that was raised by the members of the media as the Zone is yet to kick a ball in this year’s Nawettan season.

by Alieu Ceesay &

Arfang MS Camara

Black Stars are gearing up to take on Justice Stars in the final of the 2016 Brufut League Nawettan competition to be played next Saturday at the Brufut Lower Basic School football field.

Black Star FC and Justice Stars FC book their place to the final following their respective wins over Baobolong FC and Steve-Biko FC.

Black Star FC beat Boabolong FC 4-3 on a post-match penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in the regulation time.

In the other semi-final, Justice Stars FC also beat Steve Biko FC 4-2 on a post-match penalty shoot-out.

By Hadang Daffeh

Universal FC have booked their place in the semi-final of the 2016 Lamin Sports Committee-organised nawettan league following a narrow 1-0 win over Prision on Monday.

Universal FC scored the only goal in the game after the 6th minute through Abdou Gibba, leaving fans of the security side (Prison FC) disappointed.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports shortly after the match, the assistant coach of Universal FC, Faburama Sanyang congratulated his players for the victory once again and commended them for their understanding and commitment.

“Commitment is our motto, as you can see in our games since the beginning of the Nawettan. We were beaten by only one team [ Jattas FC], and we were winning all our games,” Sanyang noted.

The head coach of Prison, Sergeant Famara Tamba commended his players for a job well done despite bowing out of the competition.

“Anyway we have not lost all because we have already progressed to the knockout tournament and this is our first time; this is a great achievement. So I thank my players and we take the defeat in good faith.”

By Binta Jammeh

& Binta Bah

The head coach of Starlight FC, Salifu Sawaneh has commended his players and fans after his side prevailed over Bayern Central to confirm their place in the final of the Manjai nawettan league.

Starlight defeated Bayern Central 4-2 on a post-match penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw.

In an Observer Sports interview, Sawaneh said the team have proven so many doubters wrong.

He equally applauded the fans for supporting the team since the startingof the tournament.

Augustus Bass is the captain of Bayern Central and was quite disappointed at the result when interviewed by Observer Sports.

by Hadang Daffeh

Si Pah Bi FC were on Tuesday eliminated from the Lamin Nawettan following a 2-0 defeat to arch rivals Jattas FC in the quarterfinal s.

The game was played at the community’s Sanna Jatta Memorial Football Field in Lamin village.

Muhammed Gomez’s early strike and Lamin Manneh’s penalty were enough to secure Jattas the win that sent them to the last four of the competition.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports shortly after the game, head coach of Jattas FC, Baba Dumbuya, expressed delight with the win.

“Honestly today is the happiest day of my life since I started coaching Jattas FC, because today is the day that I gave my instructions and it was carried out perfectly,”  he said.

For his part, head coach of Si Pah Bi FC, Prospel Correa attributed the defeat to injuries and wished Jattas FC the best of luck in the rest of their campaign.

by Binta Bah &

 Binta Jammeh