Gambia Ports Authority have been among the outstanding teams in the second division this season as they have opened a five point lead at the top of the standings as they aim to qualify to the elite division.
The Alkamba Times had an exclusive interview with their head coach Baboucarr Coker as he took us through the journey so far this campaign.
The ferry boys opened a five-point lead after beating Suwo Kono 1-0 courtesy of Omar Johm’s goal. Title contenders Elite Utd and Medina all suffered a defeat on Wednesday.
GPA has won their last five matches, making them the most in-form team in both the First Division and Second Division. GPA, who picked only one point in their first four opening games (LDLL), have now gone on to register 11 wins and 2 draws, which has seen them top the table going into the second round. They have the best attack banging 30 goals in 17 matches and conceded 13 which has earned them 5th in the best defense ranking.
Setback turned to revival
“Between matchday one and four, we had a problem. When we returned from the preseason, we had a team that was very good and that was what we used in the whole of the preseason. We ended up losing two players to injury. Our biggest challenge by then was player registration with the FIFA Connect. Sometimes we went with 16 players to match days. Our first XI didn’t even end up playing in those four matches. Between weeks 5 and 6, we sat as a team and had that conversation within ourselves that we could not continue losing games at this rate if we wanted to get promotion. Just in time, the players got their registration approved, then our preseason starting XI resurfaced again. We started to pick vital points; that’s how we got our Majoo back. ” Coker revealed
The management contributes immensely, especially off the pitch, by providing the team a fan club that is supporting us. That really motivated the team. The match bonuses are in place, players are happy, there is a lot of competition among the players, and all the players are fighting. The driving force to win is huge within the environment.
One mission & dream
“Our ambition is to go back to the first division; GPA is a big team, and we have spent enough time in the second division. We secured a playoff spot last season, but we failed to return to the topflight. We went for preseason and did everything possible to fulfill the requirement of the game, ensuring that there is a strong motivation for automatic promotion. We are fighting hard, currently on top of the league; our minds are just on promotion. The second division is very tough; you have 18 teams, each one of them wanting to be promoted. You have the first division teams that got relegated last season, and they too want to return quickly. Sometimes breaking down teams is very tough, and it requires a lot; we meet along the way with different setups by teams.”
CAF B License and transfer target
The January/February coach of the month is on the verge of winning the Coaches Association Coach of the Month twice in a row. The gaffer wrapped up the CAF B license second phase earlier in the week. Coker shed some light on the B license and his club activity in the transfer window.
“The second module is much more advanced; it talks in detail about coaching methods and its technique. I have gained lots of experience. There were things we took for granted whilst they were very serious in the game. We enjoyed the course. We have new methods that we can use.” He indicated
“We won’t be that busy in the transfer window; we are looking to bring in three to four players. We need some adjustment in some positions: CB, MF, and FW. There are three players already training with us.”
Second round approach
“The second round will be competitive, especially the first ten games, which will make it difficult for everyone. Promotion and relegation battles will be fierce. Our plan is to calculate the points, which games we can win, and which games we can secure a draw. We won’t allow those vying for promotion to win us while going all out to beat teams in the middle and bottom of the table. That’s our target. With this, we can be assured of maintaining our position on top.” Coker emphasized
Managerial career
Coker has over a decade of coaching in both the first and second divisions. His rich CV and winning mentality give him an edge over his peers. Coker rose from Nawettan coaching to First Division coach. He got his first managerial stint in 2004 when he was appointed as assistant coach of Serekunda Utd. He went on to work with Real de Banjul under Alagie Sarr, Frank, and Matar Mboge. Assuming the role of the interim coach twice with Real de Banjul, one of those saw him become a runner-up, losing the title to Steve Biko.
He returned to East Bi in late 2017 before taking a sabbatical leave. In 2021 he made Wagadu champions of both URR and promoted them to the second division after winning the triangle. His journey continued, serving on two different occasions as assistant manager under Amat Cham and Ebou Jarra with Ports Authority before being officially unveiled as head coach of GPA in 2024.
