Gambia’s league champions, Real de Banjul FC, overcame Barak Young Controllers FC 1-nil in the second leg of the preliminaries to complete a 2-1 aggregate over their Liberian counterparts.
Yankuba Jarju’s 28th minute finish was all but enough to earn Real a place in the first round of the qualifiers.
The tie was a home leg for BYC after the initial fixture scheduled to take place in Bamako, Mali, could not take place as planned.
The Banjul venue as the home leg for BYC was determined by CAF in consultation with the Liberian Football Association and the Gambia Football Federation.
CAF suggested playing on neutral grounds. However, the Liberian club’s executive consulted with officials of the GFF, and agreement was reached to host the second leg between BYC and Real in Banjul.
It would be recalled that, Real played BYC to a 1-1 draw in the first-leg tie played at the same venue three weeks ago.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Amat Cham, head coach Real, said they are through to the next stage of the competition because they played very well defensively.
He said Yankuba Jarju, the goal scorer, was given his chance which he took. “That is what you need a striker for”.
The know it is going to be a harder task facing Entente Sportive de Sétif of Algeria, he said, but added that they will work extra hard in order to be successful.
“At least when we go to Algeria we want to keep it tight like we did today, and make sure we come home and complete the job in The Gambia”.
Robert Larley, Barak Young Controllers FC head coach, thanked Real for hosting the game, and went on to congratulate and wish them well in the competition.
“To play away from home is something very dangerous”, head coach Larley said, and admitted that Real are a good side that plays very good football.