by Baboucarr Fallaboweh
Gambian foreign-based players wrapped up the year with mixed results, as 5% of the players will be involved in Boxing Day matches before teaming up for Nations Cup preparations in Saudi Arabia.
Belgium
KRC Genk lost 2-1 away at Anderlecht. Alieu Fadera gave the visitors the lead in the 70th minute with a volley, but Leoni and Dreyer led the comeback for the hosts by scoring each in the 75th minute and 90+1 minutes. This was Fadera’s second goal in 22 appearances all season for the Smurfs.
What a bang 💥#andgnk #mijnploeg pic.twitter.com/OFdbjvVRe4
— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) December 24, 2023
Genk will host Antwerp on boxing day, as they sit in seventh place with 31 points. Fadera has started Genk’s last four matches.
England
Cardiff picked up their ninth win of the season in their 2-1 away victory against Sheffield on Wednesday. The Bluebirds are in 10th place, amassing 33 points after match day 23. Adams, who played 90 minutes against Hull City, was introduced in additional minutes as he replaced Yaks. Goals from Karlan Grant and Kion Etete earned City three points against the Owls.
Jacobs Mendy played as a right-back in a 2-0 Welsh derby win over Newport County. The Red Dragons finally got their revenge, with the Exiles spoiling their promotion hopes in 2013 and thumping them in the FA Cup Second Round Replay in 2018.
Stockport County edged Notts County 2-1 as Stockport maintained their six-point lead. Ibou Touray played full throttle.
Turkey
Modou Barrow returned from injury to feature in Sivasspor’s last three league matches, including their 1-0 win over Istanbulspor. The on-loan wing player from Al Ahli lasted 84 minutes in what was his 10th league appearance. Rey Manaj handed the host the lead in the 86th minute.
Omar Colley was on target for Beşiktaş in their 3-1 defeat to Alanyaspor on Thursday. Colley is now a joint league top scorer, scoring four goals for Besiktas and seven goals in 2023 for the club and country.
Saudi Arabia
Al Taawoun was handed their fourth defeat of the season in their 3-1 home defeat against Al Fateh. Barrow was a handful against Al-Ettifaq. The former Atalanta striker has been playing in the right-wing position.
Muhammed Badamoesi has been without a goal in the Saudi Pro League’s last seven games, and Al Hazem’s struggle continues. Al Hazem has now lost eight out of the 18 matches played following their 4-0 defeat to Al Ahli.
Senegal
The top-of-the-table clash ended in a 0-0 draw between Jaraaf and Teungueth FC. Lie Kah was handed a start for the visitors, while Youssou Sayang replaced Omar Fall in the second half.
