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Jane Joof hails his team as Samger snatch second win in GFA league

Feb 24, 2010, 12:41 PM | Article By: Lamin Drammeh

Samger has undoubtedly established itself as one of the power houses in the country's top flight football since its promotion to The Gambia Premier Tier football in less than a decade. The Academy boys under the inspirational leadership of Coach Jane Joof, who continued to enjoy an outstanding relationship with the Gambian media has been a fundamental figure in Samger's success over the past few years, leading the team to its most impressive performances as they secured second position in 2007/08 league season.

Jane Joof, a one time sports journalist with Radio SYD went ahead to add a Super Cup title to his name with a win over Wallidan in 2009 in a final played at the Brikama Box Bar Mini-stadium.

But if their performance in the ongoing Division One League Championship is anything to lean on, Jane and his boys must tighten up their belts, in a bid to replicate the form that saw them record some outstanding achievements, despite failing to win the league title since their qualification to First Division.

Samger started the campaign with a bitterly 2-1 defeat to the current league leaders the Gambia Ports Authority and went on to snatch their most impressive victory so far in the 12 club championship, with a deserved 1-nil win over Wallidan, a month ago.

But since then, the Academy boys have struggled to win as many league matches as possible.

A sensational goal from playmaker Lamin Samateh who netted his side's only goal from a powerful left footed long-range-effort in the second period against struggling Brikama United, who are still without a win gave Samger their second victory in seven matches.

Jane Joof, who led his side to their second win in as many league games was full of praises for the young lads.

He told this reporter that his side's has been preparing against Brikama United, who beat them twice last season.

"We knew it would not be an easy game, considering the fact that they defeated us in both the first and second rounds last season and the boys were aware of that fact so we try to put an end to that disappointing performances. And I am happy that we managed to do that," he told Pointsport in an interview at the Independence Stadium after Samger's hard fought 1-nil win over Brikama United as part of Week Seven fixtures of the GFA Division One league competition on Sunday.

But Jane admitted that Samger is not a small team in Gambian football and is confident of challenging for the league title once again.