It was a 2-1 win for Observer FC against The Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) in the two sides’ opening game of the NISA inter-department football tournament at the Father Gough Sports Complex in Manji Kunda on Sunday.
Two stunning goals from Yusupha Gaye and substitute Ebou Corr in the second half were enough to give the media power house, Observer FC, a convincing win against a stubborn opponent. Assan Cham scored a controversial goal to pull a goal back later in the game.
The hype before the game was very high, but this defeat, which left a bitter taste in the mouth of GRTS, is something that the national broadcaster would live to remember for a very long time.
In a post match interview, Pamodou Faal, head coach of Observer FC congratulated his players for the victory. The Observer FC, he said had two good test games with Standard Newspaper and the Agric Ministry to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the team.
While thanking his technical staff, Faal also commended the management of the Company for the support. On the next two games against The Gambia Fire and Rescue Services and The Gambia Prison Services, he said the priority for Observer FC is to win them both.
Sulayman T Sanyang is the head coach of GRTS. While accepting the defeat in good faith, he said his side would need to go back to the training ground and prepare better. He, however, expressed disappointment that some of his players were not delivering to expectation.
Momodou Sabally the head of the two institutions said: “It was a good game and I am impressed by the talents I saw in both sides and also the determination. The game was too tough at some time and I had to talk to both sides to calm down the tempo because we don’t want to defeat the purpose by getting players on both sides injured.”
For the winning side, Sabs, who he wasn’t surprised but impressed said the work tempo at Observer is very high with the slogan “Waatoo Tijay”.
by Alieu Ceesay