Russia FC
have eliminated A-Z FC by two goals to one in the knockout final of Kotu Quarry
Youth and Sports Development Association to be crowned champions of the third
edition of the late Yaboi Saine Memorial Noran tournament.
Russia FC, who beat Future Stars in the league final, also won the knockout final against A-Z FC on Sunday to secure two trophies in the same competition, at Kotu Quarry Youth and Sports Development Association.
Baboucarr Jallow opened the score-line for Russia FC in the 48th minute from a brilliant header and Dawda Sonko doubled the score for Russia FC in the 66th minute of the game, but Saikou Jammeh of A-Z reduced the tally for his side in the 84th minute of the game.
Speaking to this reporter shortly after the game, Essa Sidibeh, head coach of Russia FC, thanked God for answering his prayers, adding that wining the second trophy was his dream, which he finally achieved.
“We won both trophies,” he said, while thanking the fans and all those who gave them the necessary support, especial their elders who financed them and stood for them day and night.
According to him, winning both trophies in the same competition has given him a lot of courage, adding that with the calibre of players he has he could win any trophy.
He concluded by thanking the Kotu Quarry Youth and Sports Development Association, wishing them all the best in all they want to achieve.
Saikou Jammeh, head coach of A-Z FC, said it was a normal game as his players had played very well, adding that he was not even expecting as much as they played because “this is an academy team and went to the league to play with their seniors to earn experience”.
“We are able to contain the first half by playing good football but the moment we came into the second half, my defence line lost concentration because you could see that the ball scored is really lack of concentration from the defence with the goalkeeper,” he said.
He described his academy as winners, as the moment they conceived a goal they worked hard to equalise that goal but to no avail.
“I even thought they were going to equalize after the first goal but unfortunately there was another goal. But they really made me happy and could have gone two nil without scoring a goal but they scored and were trying for a second goal but due to time they could not equalise,” he stated.
