Amadou Demba, Bakau United coach has said that their target this season is to finish fourth position in the league table standing.
Demba, who was speaking to reporters at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium, on Tuesday following his side’s 2-nil win over neighbours Steve Biko FC in the ongoing Gambian Football Federation (GFF) first division league, added that things have to take a process but they have been moving step by step towards it.
He noted that collecting the maximum points is going to help push them towards achieving that target.
They were grateful for collecting the maximum points, he said, adding that they were never under any pressure coming into the game.
They are every day working to correct themselves though they have made some mistakes along the way, he said, adding that they are still working very hard to rectify their mistakes.
He said that this time round their players adhered to their call by scoring two goals, pointing out that they were very much impressed with their performance.
Coach Demba mused that every player at Bakau United could be a starter as long as they have confidence in themselves as well as prepare mentally, physically, tactically and technically.
“We are working towards a target of fourth place finish,” he said, adding that they are working very hard to obtain that position.
Achieving their target would take a process, he said, stating that the long break of the league did affect them a bit.
Nonetheless, he noted, saying they didn’t stop working as they had a series of test games that helped them “very well” during the game at Biko.
Abdoulie Bojang, head coach of Steve Biko, said his team didn’t play as expected against Bakau United.
They started the first 15 minutes of the game brightly, he said, but when they conceded the first goal his players started forcing the game and at the end didn’t play up to their standard.
They would go back to work on their weaknesses to improve as they have 6 games to play, he went on, adding: “We have been playing good but today after 15 minutes we were down completely.”
They expected a victory considering the experience of Assan Jatta and Pateh Nyang, he said, but was quick to add that even without them they still expected a win as they have a good squad.
Pateh has been playing for them since the first round of the league but what was expected of them was helping the team to a victory, the giant killers’ gaffer said.
Pateh’s fitness is a bit lacking because he was injured and resumed training a couple of days ago, he said of the former U-17 player, adding that Assan had been doing good during training, which was why they brought him in.
Lie Bojang stated that it is not about individuals; they still expect a lot from Assan and Pateh, but they still believe they would give them what they need in the near future.
“When we conceded the first goal the players thought they should force the game and in the process were making mistakes which cost us the game,” he remarked.
Scoring is their main problem, he stated, adding that they have been working hard towards it.
Recently they are also conceding goals they didn’t expect to, he further said, noting that they just have to work on those mistakes so they would not occur.
Head coach Bojang said that personally he did not want to blame any single person and as such has taken the responsibility for being the cause of the defeat.
At this point in time they are concentrating on moving from the relegation zone than retaining their league title, he remarked, but said they are also confident and positive they can turn things around.
Some of their players were injured and needed to recover to be doing better, he also said, noting that even without the injured players they have a team.
They can work on their training ground and improve, he said, adding that “one can only win if you are better than your opponents,” which is what they need to work on – working hard as a team