Three Division One teams together with one Ssecond division side will square off on Monday for a final spot of this years FA cup. Giant Killers Steve Biko will take on Medina at the Goal Project while Team Rhino host TMT at the Serekunda East Mini stadium. Rhino beat Marimoo post penalty shootout to reach their first semifinal of the FA cup, while Medina FC also edged Waa Banjul 5–4 on penalties.
The last time Steve Biko won the FA Cup was back in 2000 and their current form might suggest that Bakau willl bring home their 3rd prestigous trophy.
Alieu Jagne Medina Fc Coach
“Medina FC is a young team, there’s is enough motivation within the team, there’s is talent within the group. It’s a team that will grow, not today for sure. The target of the team was to stay in the second division, and if we had a chance in the playoff, we would take it. The FA Cup is a big game for us, we are unlucky in the sense that we are only meeting with First Division clubs, but again, if you want to lift the trophy, you have to beat the best. We are preparing ourselves. They are not used to the hectic schedule, playing three games within seven days, which is rare to them. As a coach, together with the technical team and executives we are trying to manage and see how best to motivate them so that they can concentrate on the game , it will be a tough clash because Biko are in form.”
Alieu won the coveted trophy as a player for Hawks twice and was the assistant coach when Hawks beat Real de Banjul 7-6 on penalties in 2016/2017
Adnan Moussa Steve Biko Coach
The FA Cup is something big to me. The message is clear: if we don’t finished 2nd or 3rd, it’s a bad season, and there is the FA Cup; if we don’t reach the finals too, it’s a bad season.That’s the target we set in the second round, we have been working towards it; it’s not about being in form; it’s about setting the targets and trying to work towards it.
I took charge of the team when it was already relegated; I was partly there as a caretaker coach. I finished sixth on two occasions, and on the third try, we made the playoff and got promoted back to the First Division. When I came to the First Division, my first season we finished third; last season we finished 11th, which wasn’t good.”
Abdoulie Nyang, assistant coach of TMT
“It’s our first time being in the FA Cup; we are preparing in all aspects; it’s total commitment; that’s why we reached this far, and we are ready for everything. Our game against Team Rhino won’t be an easy game, but we are going by all means to win that game; we are hungry.”
Yunusa Badjie, TEAM Rhino FC coach
“We played against TMT twice already and all ended up in a goalless draw, making the semi-final tie a critical one. Our game against TMT is one step to the final; we will give everything. FA Cup was our target and finishing high in the league, getting more points than last season. We knew our game against Marimoo couldn’t be easy because they are fighting for recognition.
Wallidan are the defending champions of FA and record holders with 24 on their name.
