Zenith Bank is the new champion of the inter-bank football tournament after humiliating Trust Bank Limited (TBL) 4-1 in a grand finale played on Saturday at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
The tourney, which is named after the late Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Famara Jatta, is aimed at bringing the country’s banking fraternity together to share the same understanding amongst others.
Goals from Lamin Darboe, Alieu Bah, Basiru Camara and Abdourahman Nyang were enough to silence TBL’s management and fans. TBL’s only goal was scored by Modou Lamin Sanyang.
Speaking in a post-match interview with Observer Sports, Tijan A Sambou, the Coach of Zenith Bank, attributed the victory to determination and hard work. “It was not an easy road from the beginning, but with the help of the players, management and fans, we were able to achieve our dreams,” he told Observer Sports.
The preparation ahead of the final, Sambou recalled, was a bit tense because TBL was a good side going by their performance in their first encounter with Zenith in the group stages.
Also speaking to Observer Sports, the Chairman of the Inter-Banks Football Tournament Organising Committee, Yaya Cham, expressed delight with what he described as the successful completion of this year’s competition. He stated that the importance of the tournament is to bring the banking fraternity together and share understanding amongst themselves.
Cham, who also doubles as the President of the Central Bank of The Gambia Staff Association, said that they also want to extend this tournament to the other financial institutions to participate in subsequent competitions, adding that the banking fraternity is also aiming to own their football pitch as well as having a team in the GFF leagues.
As winners, Zenith Bank went home with giant trophy and a cash prize of D25, 000, while TBL pocketed home a consolation prize of D20, 000.
by Alieu Ceesay & Arfang MS Camara