The national flagship domestic league competition, the Gambian version of the premier league, returns today with two matches to be played under the Independence Stadium floodlights.
The week 18 fixtures will begin with a meeting between second from bottom Marimoo and Hawks in ninth but the biggest match of the round will be played on Saturday when first takes on second as traditional foes Fortune and Brikama United come face-to-face in what could turn out to be the determining factor and turning point for the destination of this year’s title.
A win for Marimoo will see them move out of the drop zone to above Hawks in 10th in the 7pm kickoff which will be followed by another entertaining encounter between third place Elite United and a BK Milan side just languishing above the relegation zone on goal difference. The last time the two teams met this season, it was again played under the floodlights as Milan, inspired by the second half introduction of Wally Fofana came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with a Buba Jammeh brace. However, they’ll be forced to make do without their magisterial midfield maestro who last week joined Belgian second tier side KVC Westerlo after the two clubs agree to a permanent transfer, thus, the responsibility of inspiring the team to another memorable performance lies squarely in the hands of the mesmerizing Jammeh.
Real de Banjul was the closest to hand Fortune its first defeat of the season on Saturday. They thought they had taken a significant step towards that direction when the referee signaled for a goal after a thumping header at a time when they were leading 1-0 in the second half but the linesman flagged for an alleged offside and the referee, belatedly though, controversially ruled out the goal. Bai Malleh Wadda’s side would later have a strong appeal for a penalty turned down before Fortune went on to level through former Gambia U-20 striker Ebrima Camara, with quarter of an hour remaining for a share of the spoils.
However, the City Boys would be hoping to put that disappointment behind them when they take on Waa Banjul in a Banjul derby in the early kickoff off of Friday at 8pm. A win for either side could see move to third on the 14-team table, depending on Elite’s result 24 hours earlier. The late kickoff on Friday sees third place The Gambia Armed Forces presented with an opportunity to move into second place, temporarily for 24 hours at least and with leading scorer Saikouba Ceesay available for selection, you wouldn’t bet against them.
Then on Saturday is the big match itself, the one that every fan had ticked on their calendar when the fixtures for the second round was released. Fortune Petroleum and second place Brikama United are separated by seven points going into their titanic battle in the 8pm kickoff. But those seven points could prove to be decisive at the end of the match. While a win for Jane Joof’s Fortune would see them establish a 10-point lead going into the final stretch of the campaign, the gap could also be a mere four points by the end of the day on Saturday with a Brikama win, thus bringing more life into the competition. It is indeed a match that no one would be willing to be told.
Then there is the small matter of Wallidan and Banjul United meeting in the late kickoff of the same day. Because of a wrestling contest at the Stadium for the second Sunday running, the final match day of the round will again be played on Monday when Tallinding United in 11th takes on Gambia Ports Authority in a 4pm kickoff at the Late Ousman Saho Football Field in Old Yundum