Gift Freetown FC on Sunday beat
Jamisa FC by a goal to nil to be crowned champions of the Sukuta Nawetan League
final played at the Dembadu Mini Stadium.
Substitute Lamin Saidy scored the only goal of the game for Gift Freetown in the 74th minute of the game, two minutes after he came in to replace Ebrima Jarju.
As winners, Gift Freetown went home with a giant trophy and a cash prize of D7,000 while Jamisa collected a consolation prize of D 6,000 as runners-up.
Nfansu Bojang of Seaview FC was awarded the most valued player award while his teammates Pa Antu Cham and Amadou Solley were awarded the most disciplined and the leading goal scorer awards respectively. Each of them received a cash amount of D500.
Tijan Bojang of Bahamas FC was awarded the most improved player award while Abdou Cham, head coach of Gift Freetown, was given the best coach of the season award.Also, each of them received a cash prize of D500.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Abdou Cham, head coach of Gift Freetown, said they were very much delighted to be crowned league champions, adding that it was his trophy as a coach.
Winning the trophy is a big plus for him, he said, adding that being awarded as the best coach of the season came as a surprise to him.
Cham, who works with academies, noted that his target was to develop players and form a team that will win a trophy in three years’ time, saying: “It has worked.”
He concluded by thanking his technical staff, players, fans and everyone that has supported the team.
Abdoulie Touray, head coach of Jamisa FC, could barely talk to reporters, with his eyes filled with tears of disappointment after his side dominated the game, created numerous goal-scoring opportunities but failed to convert any.
They did not expect to lose, he said, adding that they had hard luck because his team did not play a game for 10 minutes without scoring a goal.He apologised to the fans for not winning the trophy.
Touray, who guided Jamisa FC to the final in their first appearance of the tournament, said they will prepare better for the next season and “cannot afford to lose again should in case we reach the final”.
