Medina FC edged TMT FC 3-2 on penalties to be crowned champions of the FF Cup. This is the first time a second-division team has won the Presitigous FF Cup.
Serekunda-based team Blackpool came close but lost to Sait Matty. Following a 0–0 draw, TMT failed to convert two of their spot kicks.
Coach Alieu Jagne, who has now won all coveted trophies in the Gambia following Friday’s triump as a player and coach, says the trophy will be a long lasting memories of this team.
“The FA Cup is always full of surprises. Medina FC is a young team, building for the future. When we kicked off the FA Cup campaign, we saw that we were performing well, beating big teams. We got the feeling that we would win the Cup after beating Brikama Utd. at Boxbar and Waa Banjul at the KG5 mini stadium. Steve Biko was in a good position, and after our victory against them, we became confident that we could beat any opponent in the finals. Hart FC is the only second-division team we meet. They were on top of the Second Division and in good shape.” Jagne stressed
“The game plan for the final was just like the same approach we accorded Steve Biko, Brikama Utd., and Waa Banjul. We gave them the respect they deserved. TMT been a First Division club with many experienced players. We preached for the game, and the morality has always been there. The management gave everything that the game required. The atmosphere was great because the entire team camped. All these motivations contributed to the victory.”
Jagne further stressed that he knew the state of the team before joining them.
“Before taking the reigns at Medina, I watched three of their games. They were impressive, and I saw the need for their growth with few adjustments. The management is very good and is ready to help the team. The team has a future and a determination that can go forward with development. There is an urge from the players to still learn the game (technical discipline),” he concluded.
