All three title contenders for the League Division One are speaking loud amidst their expectations towards the D Day on Sunday. Leaders Brikama United will win the league with victory over third place The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) at the Independence Stadium, who also have a chance of winning while Real de Banjul in second can secure the title with victory over Marimoo at the Box Bar Mini Stadium if Brikama fails to beat GAF. All games kick off at 4:30pm.
Coach Ebou Jarra, Modou Lamin Nyassi and Musa Njie of The Gambia Armed GAF, Brikama and Real have all been speaking to www.gambiaff.org about their teams’ level of preparedness going into the final match day of the season.
On his part, Coach Jarra of GAF described the situation as normal hence it’s a continuation of the league matches. “For us it is just a normal match day because we are just continuing our games although we plan for the big advantage for our side,” he said, adding that GAF is well prepared for the finale. “We beat Brikama in last year’s FF Cup final and also we beat them during the first round. Although it is going to be tough but Brikama will be the team under pressure to win as they have their faith in their own hands.” The former Tallinding United gaffer described this year’s league as very organised and competitive.
Modou Lamin Nyassi of Brikama sounded upbeat and posited that knowing what is at hand for them is of great importance. “I’m very confident ahead of our game because there is only one thing for us and that is winning and nothing else,” he said, adding that preparations are on high gear at their camp and “we will continue to build on it after the Koriteh break”.
Asked if there recent poor run against GAF will not affect his team, Nyassi said they will not lose three consecutive games to them and the game on Sunday will be different from the previous two. “GAF is a very good side that I respect but the defeat in the FF Cup was due to some factors. But this time we are very motivated and come Sunday there will be lot of fans out to cheer our side. Our former players and the Brikama community are all out to support us”.
He also compared this year’s league to the just ended English Premier League saying there are no easy games. He thanked the GFF Competitions Department for a job well done.
For his part Musa Njie of Real said they did all their statistics and know what is needed and are now working on it. “We are preparing very well, we did all the statistics and we know what we need and we are working on it. Not only the staff and players but even the fans are calling from all over the world to encourage and showing support for the team to win against Marimoo on Sunday.”
Coach Njie who is on his second spell with the City Boys said star player Pa Modou Sohna’s move to Fus de Rabat will not have any effect on the team because they have been expecting it. “Pa Modou was our star but I can tell you we have been preparing for his departure for a long time because if you notice there were games that we did use him just to prepare for his departure so we have his replacement already.”
Asked what his expectations from the other game between Brikama United and GAF are knowing the need to win and have a positive result from the other game, Coach Njie said: “I know both teams and I followed and also played against them this season. I know it will not be an easy game that is why I am expecting a draw game on Sunday.”
Njie stated that they are going for a win and hope the other result to go their way. He too described this year’s league as the most competitive he has ever witnessed during his playing career, which he added shows that Gambian football is moving.