Renowned Gambian football division league expert Hamadi Kebbeh sat with the Alkamba Times to analyze the league before it kicks off.
I don’t see Real de Banjul defending their title, especially with what I saw on the ground; they have lost key players that were very instrumental in their back-to-back league titles. They are yet to have a replacement for Muhammed Susso and Abdoulie Ceesay, and I have seen them struggled in those areas in the two test matches I watched them play. The quality is there, but I don’t think it’s enough to give them the results. They have made adjustments in the midfield. I am not convinced if it’s the standard we know Real de Banjul to have attained. Amadou Nyassi has returned to Greater Tomorrow. He was Real de Banjul’s best midfielder in the last two seasons, contributing to 12 goals (six assists and six goals) last season.
First five opponents in another title defense season 💪🏽!
The back-to-back Champions will host new boys, Dutch Lions, travel to Yundum to face Falcons FC, before we’ll host our returning to the top-tier division City rivals, Hawks FC in our first Banjul Derby. pic.twitter.com/xwPvXF3zgS
— Real De Banjul FC (@RealDeBanjulFC) November 25, 2024
Likewise, Samba Jallow has returned to Greater tomorrow. The biggest struggle for the defending champions will be the position of left-back, where they lost both Modou Manneh and Essa Jallow. They haven’t gotten a replacement yet. They are still the favorites, but I don’t think they can retain the title. They brought in new players, but they are yet to click. The pressure is on them. Last season they only lost one home game, but I don’t see that this season.
Newcomers Hawks, Gambia Dutch Lions, and Harts FC….
I am confident that Gambia Dutch Lions will stay in the top tier. Everything around their foundation and structure is good; they have invested in their project. There is also motivation, and we have all seen in Gambian teams that once there is a motivation, they end up staying in the league. The likes of Fortune, BST Galaxy, and TMT applied the formula and it yielded success.
For Harts FC it will be very difficult for them to stay in the league; with Hawks, the only advantage they have is playing at home. The survival of these teams should hang on beating the league favorites or picking a point at least. They should have a target in tally of points, especially in the first round. Let them not come to compete or go for the league without let them focus on staying in the league.
Signings…
Teams have made very good signings, and it’s one of the best for a very long time. Lots of teams adjusted, especially Fortune FC, BST Galaxy, TMT, and, to my surprise, Greater Tomorrow; they have made some good signings.
The only problem Fortune and BST Galaxy will have is playing time for the players. In every department, they have up to three good players; otherwise, the signings are good, especially Fortune, which makes them strong contenders this season. Because they have adjusted where they lacked in the previous seasons. Greater Tomorrow too has welcomed back Samba Jallow, Lamin Badjie, and Amadou Nyassi; the trio has huge experience in the league.
The return of Salifu Colley, Adama Kanteh, and Sheikh Omar Faye is not that bad; returning to take some energy and go back. One thing they need to do is to focus and concentrate a lot.
Lack of goals
Season before the recent one, there were lots of goals, we had the likes of Mustapha Drammeh, Alieu Barry, Abdoulie Baldeh. Last season, few goals were scored, with Lamin Sillah getting the top goal scorer with 14 goals. I am expecting it to get lower this season. The number of prolific strikers in the country is dwindling compared to when the competition for the golden boot used to be fiercely contested.
