Goalkeeper Saikou Ceesay scored the only goal of the game for the Tallinding-based Medina FC in the 45th minute of the game from the penalty spot when Omar Joof handled the ball inside Falcons’ eighteen-yard box shortly after coming on to replace Lamin Drammeh.
As winners, Medina FC went home with a trophy and a cash prize of D25,000 whilst runners-up Falcons collected a consolation prize of D20,000.
The trophy, sponsored by the Serrekunda East Sports Development Organisation, was named after Turo Darboe.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Ansumana Jallow, head coach Medina FC, expressed delight in winning the game, saying the game was tough but they deserved to win looking at the teams they beat to reach the final.
Somehow they were under pressure coming into the final as last year’s champions, he said, but noted that he didn’t doubt the abilities and talents of his players.
“Our opponents are a good team and we respect them,” he said but he knew his side was going to carry the day.
Jallow remarked that determination and hard work won them the trophy, saying he was proud as a coach.
Both teams played well during the encounter, he also said but noted: “A champion will always be a champion.”
They prepared well for the final as they knew the qualities of the opponents, he remarked whilst thanking fans of the team for the support.
Jim Kebbeh, head coach of Falcons FC, said he was not surprised by the performance of his team. They prepared for the game as they used to do for previous encounters, he said.
Giving his take on the penalty they conceded, Kebbeh said all he could say was they had accepted it.
There was no problem for his side, he stated, saying the only hitch was that they could not convert their chances.
“We worked on scoring goals but as a coach I cannot do anything [on the pitch],” he remarked, but noted that he could not blame the players for the defeat.
They have accepted the defeat in good faith and will now prepare for next year, he noted, saying rescheduling did not have any impact on their defeat; rather it benefited them as some of his players were injured but were able to recover prior to the rescheduled date.
Kebbeh stated that he took the responsibility to coach Falcons FC because “nawetan is all about serving your community”, adding that he was proud leading the team to the knockout final in his first year in charge as head coach of the team.
