The Alkamba Times looks at another exciting round of action in the Gambia First Division. Real de Banjul goes three points clear following BST Galaxy and Fortune defeats. Hart FC and Falcons moved up on the table following their impressive win over Team Rhino and TMT.
Greater Tomorrow humbled BST Galaxy
Greater Tommorow registered back-to-back victories as they handed BST Galaxy a rare defeat courtesy of Amadou Nyassi’s goal. Friday victory is set to fuel a lot of confidence for the Academy boys as the first round nears its climax. Head Coach Sheriff told the Alkamba Times sports that beating BST Galaxy will boost the morale of his players.
I have lost eight starting XI players from last season; nonetheless, I have the most experienced and complete players in the league, and I am banging on their experience to get things right. We are taking it game by game; the victory against the Galaxies is the most important win of the season because they are in form and very motivated. The victory has changed the mood around the team”.
Sheriff revealed his tactics of middle block defending. I wait for them, allow them to do the buildup from their half; when they reach the middle part of the field, I start to press them. I assigned Amadou Nyassi to dictate the tempo and the pace of the game.
I had a conversation with the head coach of Greater Tomorrow, and he assured me victory, which I affirmed with positivity. Despite their struggle, they have the most experienced squad in the league. I knew they would pick form; it wasn’t a matter of if but when. In their games, they dominate and control; only execution was their problem. I was able to read the game in the first ten minutes, and I concluded that it will be a tough afternoon for BST Galaxy; the Galaxies went all out on them. A problem that is occurring game after game is that BST Galaxy does concede goals and is an area of concern. Stated Hamadi.
Harts stunned Team Rhino away from home
Nfansu Dibba has now taken the lead in the golden boot race (six goals in eight matches) following his hat trick against Team Rhino, which sent them to second on the table with 18 points. Hamadi Kebbeh remains impressive, as Hart flying results is a tip that another promoted team will be staying in the topflight.
The formula for Harts to survive in the league as newcomers is to beat or secure a draw against teams that are stronger than them. They have one of the fastest attacks in the league, and their combination is very good. It’s a team that has been playing together for a very long time and really understands each other. They have very good potentials within their squad”.
Fortune title contenders or title pretenders
What is disturbing for Fortune FC right now is scoring goals; they used to have strikers that banged in goals in the previous two seasons. The likes of Alieu Barry, who scored 16 goals, and then Mustapha Jallow came and scored 11 goals. This season they are struggling in front of goals; Dawda Darboe is not a clinical striker that will give you 10-plus goals. The absence of Cherno Jobe too is a big blow; he is the link-up play in the midfield. His absence is felt especially by Ebou Sanyang, who has struggled in the past four league games. The short departure of Ali Ousaye and Salifu Colley will disturb them because Salifu has added energy and quality to the team; some of the players are not in form, especially their wingers. Is a tough moment for them to match Real de Banjul. Real is very well set up and have home game advantage”.
Player of the month
Clubs have announced their players of the month winners, with top winners all making it to the SpaceTv and Jollof Bantaba player of the month. The goalkeeper of the month, Lamin Jammeh, with his four clean sheets in four games, went toe to toe with BST Galaxy Musa Njie, Real de Banjul Sheikh Jaw, and the winner Baboucarr Jobe (Nani) of Hawks.
“It was a tight competition; in the beginning of January, I was daydreaming of winning the award; hence, I have never won it. I scored against Bombada Utd., then we traveled to Soma, and I ended up scoring and assisting. The third game I only assisted. Then we came up with the Falcons; GK Lamin was on form, and so was Musa Njie and Sheikh Jaw. I play in the sense of establishing my dominance in the league and running up to the nomination. I am so happy to win the Player of the Month. It’s a special recognition that every player wants to win it around the world. It shows me I am worthy, and I will continue proving my worth to win more awards.” Abdourahman Jobe mentioned
