#Article (Archive)

Saikou Jawara faces fitness battle for Sunday zonal final

Dec 9, 2009, 1:04 PM | Article By: Lamin Drammeh

Real De Banjul Vice-Captain who is a household name in Gambian football, Saikou Jawara returned to full training for the defending championships Bakau on Monday, ahead of Serrekunda East clash this Sunday.

Nicked name "Okocha"  Saikou  is struggling to recover from a heel injury he sustained during Bakau's clash with Sukuta, and it was initially feared that the crafted left back might be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelined, but after two weeks of light training, Saikou could be back in time for the final game of the second edition of Baby Muhammed Jammeh Perpetual Cup Competition on Sunday at the Independence Stadium.

The left back has been sidelined since picking up a heel problem in Bakau's disappointing goalless draw against Sukuta and faces a real battle to be fit for Sunday's mouth watering Zonal final against Serrekunda East.

Okocha has missed 2 of his side's last zonal matches as a result of the pain on his left heel which ruled him out of the clash against Serrekunda West and bitter rivals Banjul, respectively and he is facing a battle to recover before Sunday's final against East.

If he recovers quickly, there will be two options for Coach Abdoulie Bojang whether to include him in the starting line up or to stick to his previous formation but he is an important player for the team and his presence would be highly needed, considering his experience and quality.

Bakau will go into the final in a bid to record their third successive zonal cup title, having already got two more trophies in their ranks in the past two years bringing the total of zonal trophies to five.

Meanwhile, Pa Amadou Gai who sat out of Bakau's clash against Serrekunda West with a muscle injury has made a quick recovery and has played a key role in his side's qualification to the final after assisting the only goal of the game for Steve Biko and former U-17 striker Alasan Camara who scored from a powerful shot to earn Bakau their third consecutive finals after beating bitter rivals Banjul1-nil last Saturday.