By: Muhammed Dampha.
Bakoteh United Football Academy (BUFA) have lifted the Manjai Sports Association Lamin Kaba Bajo 2026 Super Cup after defeating fellow Bakoteh side Box BI 1-0 in a thrilling final at the Father Gough Sports Complex in Manjai.
The much anticipated final attracted a large crowd, with many spectators braving the rain to witness the battle between two neighbours from Bakoteh.
Both sides started cautiously, with the opening 15 minutes producing little in front of goal. BUFA eventually broke the deadlock in the 22 minute when Salieu Goodje rose high and headed the ball into the net to give his side a 1-0 lead.
After about 30 minutes of play, rain began to fall heavily at the Father Gough Sports Complex. However, the weather could not halt the contest. Both teams continued to create chances, but neither could find another goal before the break, as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of BUFA.
Coming into the second period, the rain continued, but the supporters remained in the stands to witness the highly anticipated final. It was largely all Box BI, with BUFA dropping deep and defending their narrow advantage.
Box BI created several good goal-scoring chances and pushed hard for an equaliser, but BUFA’s defence stood tall and remained solid under pressure. The Bakoteh side defended with determination to protect their 1-0 cushion until the final whistle.
Speaking after the match, BUFA head coach Abdou Aziz Jeng expressed his delight with the victory and praised the confidence shown by his players.
“I am very happy with this victory because I believe in my boys, and they believe in themselves. If the rain had not affected the game, I believe we could have won by two goals. We are also coming strong in this year’s Nawettan proper, so people should expect something from us.”
Box BI head coach Malamin Touray said his players gave their best but accepted that football can sometimes go against a team.
“We did everything we could, but sometimes luck is simply not on your side in football. We will now go back to the drawing board, prepare ourselves again and focus on our Saturday match in the Manjai Sports Association Nawettan proper.”
As champions, Bakoteh United Football Academy pocketed D35,000 and received medals, while runners-up Box BI took home D25,000.
BUFA’s winning goal scorer, Salieu Goodje, was also named Man of the Match and received a certificate for his impressive performance.
Goodje’s Man of the Match performance earned him more rewards, with Buur Fashion Plug presenting him with brand-new football boots, while Apple Gambia also gifted him another pair of boots, a power bank, AirPods and D2,000.
The triumph marks BUFA’s first-ever Super Cup title and gives them a strong boost ahead of the Nawettan proper. The stakes are even higher, as the Manjai Sports Association has increased this year’s league cup prize from D75,000 to D100,000.
