Bakau United maintain unbeaten record in GFA League

Bakau United maintain their hundred per cent unbeaten records in the Gambia Football Association first division league championship as they recorded their second successive victory to open up an early pace at the summit of the table.

The Bakau outfit on Saturday enjoyed a hard fought 1-nil win to collect two straight wins at the expense of the Academy Boys Samger in a thrilling game played at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

Abdou Badjie scored the only goal of the game in the 36th minute that proved to be the deciding moment for Coach Kebba Touray, as that has sent warning to the rest of the participating teams in the 12-club league competition.

Wallidan levelled with the draw specialist Steve Biko in the other game played at the Serrekunda East Mini-stadium on Saturday.

Steve Biko, also known as the Bakau Giant Killers, took an early lead with less than a minute on the clock through Mustapha Manneh, who capitalised on a wonderful taking volley for the game's first goal, much to the delight of a teeming number of Biko's travelling fans.

Wallidan responded courtesy of Isaha Dem's 20th minute leveler, as the two rivals continued to enjoy an intense rivalry that continues to exist between them in the beautiful game of football.

Skipper George Cole had a fantastic shot saved by goalkeeper Ousman Badjie in the 32nd minute of the game.

Biko, who got off to a promising start to the game, had their hope of running away with a victory dented by the sending off of goalkeeper Ousman Badjie for bringing down Wallidan substitute Ousman Sillah at outside the penalty box, but George Cole's free-kick was nowhere to trouble the incoming Biko gloves man Ba Pa Modou Keita.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, the head coach of Steve Biko, Abdoulie Bojang, said his team played better football against Wallidan FC compared to their first match of the league, which came against Brikama United.

Bojang, himself a former Biko player, said the only thing they need to do "is to improve on their scoring ability".

When asked whether his goalkeeper Ousman Badjie deserved to be sent off, Bojang said: "Yes it was a red card and it was better for us to lose a player than conceding a goal at that crucial moment of the game."

"Despite two draws in a row, we will continue to prepare very well for our next game against Young Africans who we are much more experienced than," Lie, as Bojang is widely called, said, although he has ruled out the idea of underrating Young Africans side.

He finally thanked the fans of Steve Biko for their support acknowledging their tireless contribution to Steve Biko Football Club.

Mansour Jeng, assistant coach of Wallidan FC, for his part, said the game was well contested. He added that they prepared very well to win the game since their disappointing start to the campaign.

Mr Jeng also stated: "We respect Steve Biko because they are a big team in Gambian football. Collecting a point against them was better than losing the game."