The domestic national flagship competition, Gambian first division league, continue to be watched by thousands of spectators at the Independence Stadium with many arguing that it has also led to the improvement in terms of standards and quality of play.
That assertion could not be truer going by the results of the last few days, especially that of Friday and Saturday. Real de Banjul, who took a first half lead in the final match of Saturday were pegged back with a stoppage time equaliser from Gamtel for a share of the spoils. Fourth placed Real missed the opportunity to move to second with a win after second place The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) failed to win the previous day.
Perhaps, the biggest heartbreak was reserved for basement side Tallinding United who thought they had secured a crucial three points in their fight to stay amongst the elites as they took an early first half lead through U-17 striker Amadou Baldeh. However, after having failed to see off the game, they suffered a devastating blow when Alieu Barry scored a 95th minute equaliser for Elite United in what proved to be the final kick of the match. Victory would’ve moved them out of the relegation zone to 11th, albeit on goal difference but they remained rooted to the spot on 10 points, two adrift of safety.
Elsewhere on Friday, Brikama United defeated B.K. Milan 1-0 in a scintillating match played under the floodlights to move to third on the table, leveled on 23 points with the Soldiers. In this early kickoff of the day, both sides created numerous opportunities to score more than one goal but it took a moment of genius from Ebou Kanteh to decide the outcome of the match with his 75th minute winner.
The most entertaining match was reserved for the final game of that day when Hawks and GAF played a breathtaking draw in a four-goal thriller. Following a goalless first half, one would be forgiven to been tempted to think that the game would be set for a barren scoreline but the signs were there from the beginning of the restart that it is a matter of when not if the goals would rain.
In a game of two halves, the second stanza saw an end-to-end stuff of attacking play, and it was GAF that hit the first soccer punch as they took the lead after just eight minutes into the restart when goal poacher Saikouba Ceesay gave them the lead. Hawks immediately responded through skipper Omar Sarr but their celebrations were short-lived as the goal was chalked off for an alleged off-sight. However, the Reds ensured parity six minutes later when defender Mass Mange thumped in a powerful header.
GAF regained their lead in the 64th minute with again Saikouba Ceesay providing the goal for the 11th goal in 13 league matches. If they had held on, they would’ve closed the gap to within seven points of leaders Fortune but Hawks again pegged them back and leveled the scores in spectacular fashion as substitute Abdoulie Jallow drilled into the top corner in the 85th minute to send the Stadium into delirium. They remained nine points off the pace as the Petroleum Boys, who over the weekend announced they’ve added former Scorpion Momodou Zico Ceesay to their ranks for the remainder of the season, looked destined for their first league title in just their remarkable nine-year story of existence.
Week 14 will come to an end today in a Banjul derby as Waa Banjul takes on second from bottom Banjul United with kickoff set for 9pm. Waa Banjul can move to joint second with a win while Banjul United would be looking to move out of the danger zone. You can follow the match live on The Gambia Football Federation’s Facebook page for video and ball-to-ball commentary.
