Bakau United on Saturday defeated the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) by a goal to nil in their opening game of the Gambia Football Association (GFA) first Division League played at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium.
Jaata Baldeh scored the only goal of the game for Bakau United in the 30th minute of the game from a sensible tap after beating GAF’s defence line and goalkeeper when he capitalised on skipper Amat Njie’s pass.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Kebba ‘Jasper’ Touray, head coach of Bakau United, said he was very much satisfied with the victory because Armed Forces had been the only team they had not collected a point from during the past two seasons.
This is a special victory for us, specially dedicated to a special someone to me who passed away in December,” added head coach Touray.
“This time around we are trying to work out on the logistic of having problems whenever the league goes midway or runs out,” he said, adding that they have forwarded those issues to the management, which is willing to help them, “so we are prepared to go ahead”.
Jasper, as he is widely called, added that collecting the maximum points from the Gambia Armed Forces was definitely a satisfactory result looking at the way and time they scored the goal and being able to defend it.
He added that if they adjust on their programmes they would make it up.
He noted that the material has been there for his team and they have been working very hard but they had problems beyond their control, which cost them the league.
There is a lot of improvement in terms of management this year for his club, he said, adding that he is sure that with what they have started and with the commitment from everyone, things would work out well for them this season.
They are over ten years in the title contest, he noted, and would be title contenders this season if they are able to maintain their last year’s start this season.
Alagie Sey, head coach of the Gambia Armed Forces, said he was disappointed beginning the league with a defeat but they have taken it in good faith knowing this is football.
The defeat shows that a tough challenge awaits them, he said, adding that the league is still young but it also shows that they still have work to do.
He noted that the interesting thing about the league this season is that it is full of changes and waiting to the extent that teams do not even know their opponents.
They prepared well for the game but Bakau United were the lucky side to win, coach Sey stated.
He added that he does not only prepare for a single game but the whole league “because if you want to win the league you have to prepare for a long term, which is what we are working on”.
The field did not also help them because it was slippery, the Armed Forces coach pointed out.
