By: Alieu Ceesay
The Foni Zonal team triumphed in the West Coast Zonal championship, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Brufut Zone in a replay final that showcased their determination and skill.
After the initial final held on December 29 at the Brikama Box Bar Mini Stadium ended in a stalemate, Foni displayed remarkable resilience in the rematch.
Despite Brufut taking the lead twice throughout the tournament, Foni’s fighting spirit ultimately prevailed, allowing them to clinch the title.
Foni’s Modou Lamin Colley opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, setting the tone for the match. Edrissa Gibba extended the lead with a goal in the 79th minute, while Brufut’s Nuha Jatta netted a consolation goal in the 84th minute, bringing the final score to 2-1 in favor of Foni.
In a post-match interview, head coach Ebrima Camara expressed his exhilaration over the victory, stating, “We will be more prepared for next year, too, to make it three in a row.” He also hinted at the possibility of stepping down from his role, suggesting, “I hope they would allow me to resign to give a chance to others. I believe we have other potential coaches who could take the position.”
Last year, Coach Camara briefly resigned as head coach of the Foni zonal team before deciding to return, a decision that has since led to consecutive victories in the competition.
The Brufut team expressed their disappointment over the outcome, with their assistant head coach attributing the loss to perceived unfair play by the central referee. “We conceded a goal due to a defensive error. The second goal was offside, but it’s beyond our control,” he remarked.
As the dust settles on this thrilling championship, Foni’s victory highlights their commitment and readiness to defend their title in future tournaments.
