The knockout champions Blue Stars FC were on Saturday crowned champions of the Serrekunda East Super Cup following a 5-4 post-match penalty defeat of the league winners Medina. Regulation time ended in a goalless stalemate.
The game that was played at the community’s mini-stadium, attracted an estimated crowd of 10, 000 spectators.
Blue Stars FC have been prolific trophy winners since joining the Serekunda East Nawettan four years ago.
The two teams played an expansive football full of attacking play but neither side could capitalise on the numerous opportunities to score, forcing the game to be settled in the penalty kicks.
Blue Stars FC as winners went home with a trophy and D10, 000, while Medina pocketed home a consolation prize of D5, 000.
Speaking in a post-match interview with Observer Sports, Yunusa Badjie, the Blue Stars Coach expressed satisfaction for winning the curtain raiser, bragging that no team beats him twice in a competition.
“I am very happy to win the Super Cup. I know the benefit of winning the Cup because I am managing a second division team,” he said, adding that winning the trophy serves as a motivation for the upcoming season.
Sanna Darboe, the Medina Coach expressed dissatisfaction after losing to the team they defeated last year during the knockout stage. He blamed their defeat to their wastefulness in front of goal.
“I am taking this defeat in a good faith. We will go back to our training ground and work more on our problems.”
He finally congratulated Blue Stars FC on winning the curtain raiser.
Alagie Nyassi, the first Vice President of the Serrekunda East Sports Development Assocaition (SESDO) also expressed delight at concluding the final, adding that everything is now set for the new season.
He congratulated last year’s teams for booking back their places in the Nawettan, while advising all teams to adhere to the rules and regulations of the game in the new season.
By Arfang MS Camara &
Jainaba D Jatta