Late Bakarr Football Club better known as the Barra Youth Football Academy were on Sunday March 7th crowned knock-out champions of the late Ebrima Marong Memorial Knockout Tournament after beating Airport in the well-contested finals by the three villages of Barra, Essau and Mayamba constituting the (BEM) sports committee.
The long-awaited finals was attended by hundreds of fans from the surrounding villages and over side with the kick-off being taken by one of late Ebrima’s best friends, Mr. Alhagi Bah, and attended by his family members, the chief of Lower Niumi and the new Alkalo of Essau.
In the first half of the encounter, late Bakarr produced numerous chances through their tactical moves inside Airport’s half, which could have seen strikers Abdoulie Jallow, Musa Chorr and Assan Njie, hitting the target, but all went off the mark.
Airport with Real de Banjul’s defender, Faburama Sawaneh, and former Samger defender, Mansour, could not help their side edge the academy boys with their defensive and attacking moves.
Despite late Bakarr's dominance of the first period, it ended goalless with the second half featuring more thrilling football, as Airport FC saw the only thing they could do was to defend and rely on counterattacks, as the academy boys were more tactical in the midfield and upfront.
Late Bakarr who received no threat were full of scoring chances, and kept up the pressure to find an opener, but were denied most of the time by Airport’s goalie, Kemo Jawara, and defender Assan Njie.
The match ended goalless, and a penalty shootout took Late Bakarr through, with their hero goalkeeper Ebrima Camara scoring 7 out of 8 kicks, and Airport scored 6 out of 8. The winners received a cash price of D3, 500, and a giant-trophy with 20 medals, while Airport FC were awarded a cash price of D2500 and 20 medals.
Jane Joof, head coach for the academy boys, said he knew exactly the weaknesses and strengths of the opponents were, and decided to capitalize on them, which earned him the total dominance of the game.
"My boys should have sealed the score line since in the first half, but were resistant and unlucky, but again I will like to thanked all the players and the supporters for making us the champions of the BEM knock-out for three times in a row."
Being the knock-out champions will boost the team morally and prepare them for the BEM league finals against Deggo of Essau, which will be slated anytime from now, if word from the organizing committee is anything to go by.
