Bantaba FC on Tuesday defeated Nguma FC by 4-3 on post-match penalty shootouts to secure a place in the semifinal stage of the ongoing Serrekunda East Sports Development Organisation (SESDO) Nawettan competition after settling for a 1-1 draw on normal time of play.
Substitute Habib Sonko put Bantaba ahead in the 45th minute of the game from a classic finish, while striker Lamin Demba, alias Master, levelled the score for Nguma in the 55th minute of the game from a superb finish after capitalising on goalkeeper Ebrima Jadama’s goalkeeping blunder, thus the game ended 1-1 resulting in post-match penalty shootouts that ended 4-3 in favour of Bantaba.
Earlier on Monday, Hands on Africa FC beat BB Rovers FC by a goal to nil to also book their place in the semifinal stage of the competition with Omar Ndong scoring the only goal of the game for his side in the 56th minute.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Lamin ‘Dugal’ Jammeh, head coach of Bantaba, said he was delighted with the victory but described the encounter against Nguma as a very tough game.
Talking about his goalkeeper, Ebrima Jadama, who conceded a very cheap goal during the game but ended up saving two penalties for his side in the penalty kicks and also scored the final spot kick for his team, Jammeh said: “This is football; if you make a mistake you try to rectify it.”
He added that with the performance of his goalkeeper he knew he was going to save some penalties during the spot kicks.
He also said their semifinal game against Ball Conge FC would be a difficult one but they would prepare well for it.
It will be a miracle for his side to enter both finals this year but they will work very hard towards it now that they are through to the semifinals of both trophies, he said.
Baboucarr Nyabally, head coach of Nguma FC, said he was disappointed at the score because they played better during the game. “But this is football,” he said.
He described his side’s loss as unfortunate, saying they would go back and prepare for next season since they have been eliminated from both trophies.
He concluded by urging the fans to be patient and courageous, since football can produce unpredictable results.
