Pencha Bi FC recently defeated Kanifing Estate FC 2-1 to register their first win in the ongoing Serrekunda West Sports Organisation (SWESO) Nawetaan at the East Mini-stadium.
Alieu Ceesay and Ebrima Mendy scored Pencha Bi FC’s goals in the 33rd and 58th minutes of the game, while Mustapha Sylva scored Kanifing Estate’s consolation goal in the 41st minute.
On Saturday 13 August 2011, Dippakunda United beat Old Hands 1-nil, while Unicorns FC lost to Harlem FC on Friday by the same score-line last Friday.
Speaking to reporters after his team’s victory over Kanifing Estate, Abdoulie Ann, technical adviser and team trainer for Pencha Bi, attributed the victory to the will of the Almighty Allah whom he said made the success for them.
He recognised the contribution of the fans, management and coaching staff of the team as well as the entire SWESO while also wishing everybody Ramadan Mubarack.
He added that it was not a surprise that his team played good football by beating Kanifing Estate.
The only surprise he had was that his players performed well for the full 90 minutes despite they being fasting.
“We only told the players to give us 80% during the game because this is Ramadan so that we can at least manage a draw,” he added, noting that Kanifing Estate FC have a well organised team “That is why they have earned a lot of respect from people,” he noted.
“Football is all about logic and not magic,” he reasoned. “If you work hard in your training ground and compose yourself both on attack and defence and respect your opponents you will achieve something.”
Says Ann: “Expectations are very high from Pencha Bi FC this season because they are the biggest team in the Serrekunda West Zone and they have been playing in the zone since 1991.”
He finally urged the fans of the team to come out in their large numbers to cheer up the team, noting that they would entertain them with good football and also give them positive results.
Lamin Ceesay, head coach of Kanifing Estate FC, said: “In this Ramadan, you cannot count on the fitness of your players; that was not a bad result.”
He added that Kanifing Estate FC is like a rejuvenated team because this year they injected young players into the team.
Ceesay added: “My players lost concentration at the vital moment of the game, which cost them the defeat, but this is football.
“We will work hard on our defensive weaknesses, because it is lack of experience. You will see more from Kanifing Estate FC in our subsequent games because this is Ramadan and it was also our first game of the competition.”
Alfusainey Fatty, head coach of Dippakunda United, said he was not satisfied with his side’s 1-nil win over Old Hands FC, adding that they should have won by a greater goal margin.
“I did not underrate Old Hands FC but I know the team, I believe in the ability of the team I have; that is why I said we should have won by a greater margin,” he said. “I was not dissatisfied with all the departments today because they did not do anything.”
Pa Ceesay, assistant coach of Old Hands FC, said he was proud of his team’s performance today.
The performance of Old Hands was exceptional considering the fact that the team played good in the Ramadan even though Old Hands are the oldest team in the competition.
“We had our chances and stuck to our game plan but towards the end of the game, we decided to gamble and push forward for an equaliser but could not capitalise despite the chances we created,” he added.
“We are just here basically to have fun but at the same time play attractive football and see if we can get positive results,” he said, adding that they are good at spoiling the party for some teams and that he is sure they would do it again as they did against Dippakunda United few seasons ago by beating them 1-nil resulting in their relegation.
