Gamtel FC are through to the second stage of the Eyadema Tournament after defeating their Senegalese counterparts, Niary Tally, 5-4 on a post-match penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in the regulation time at the Independence Stadium on Sunday.
The telecommunications giants, who settled for a goalless draw in Dakar a fortnight ago, could have taken the lead in the first period of the match through Modou Sarr, who struck the stand bar in the 17th minute and Nabi Darboe, who also missed a golden opportunity in the 27th minute of the game.
Yoro Lamin Ly missed a great chance for Niary Tally in the 36th minute of the game while Mouhamed M. Ndiaye had a superb shot saved by goalkeeper Musa Camara a minute later.
Gamtel FC were reduced to ten men in the 44th minute of the game when Sarja Jarjusey was sent off after been shown a second bookable offence.
Five minutes into the second period of the game, Dodou Suso had a superb free-kick saved for a corner-kick by goalkeeper Cheikh A. B. Thioub.
Mouhamed N. Diop has a clear goal-scoring opportunity to register his name on the score sheet for Niary Tally but failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
Assan Ceesay took also a superb shot in the 88th minute of the game but his effort went just inches over the cross bar thus the game ended 0-0 resulting into penalty kicks, which Gamtel FC won by 5-4.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Mustapha Manneh, head coach of Gamtel FC, said he was proud as far as the competition is concerned because no team in The Gambia has ever reached that far in the competition.
He added that they prepared to win the game because they knew that Niary Tally have a formidable squad.
When it was put to him that his strikers had chances but failed to capitalise on any of them, he said: “Scoring is one of the most difficult things in football because if you want to score the defenders will also be there to prevent you.”
He also said: “From here we will prepare for our next opponents as we prepare for each team according to its strength.”
Samba Keita, head coach of Niary Tally, said they came to the game with the objective of winning because when Gamtel FC went to
“Gamtel FC have a good team and we respect them but we are also a very strong side,” he said, adding that they had chances but their strikers were not focused enough to be able to convert them into goals.
Asked whether they regretted not winning in
In conclusion, the Niary Tally coach did wish Gamtel FC “good luck” in the competition.
