Senegal Held African Cadet Champions

The Gambia National U-17 team on Saturday suffered a disappointing one-all draw against neighbors Senegal at the Independence Stadium in Bakau as part of preparations for the start of the U-17 World cup to be staged by Nigeria in October.

Play maker, Joseph Loppy, gave the visitors the lead when he capitalized on a defensive error to drill home a clever close-range effort in the 35th minute.

But before that, the home team had a bright start to the game and created numerous scoring opportunities through Striker Alasan Camara and midfielder Saihou Gassama in the 2nd and 21st minutes respectively but could not find the net.

The young Gambian international Striker Ebrima Bojang, who recently put pen to paper on a 4-year contract with French Ligue 1 Side St Etienne, had his powerful right footed shot saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Malic Traore in the dying minutes of the first half.

The darling U-17 came out in a dramatic fashion following a frustrating first period to level the score through substitute and Samger influential Star Striker Buba Jallow, widely known as Melez, who took the advantage of Alasan Camara's pass to tap in a low shot past the visitors' goalkeeper in the 78th minute of a pulsating and action- packed game to the delight of the spectators.

Senegal who have proven to be a better side on the day, occasionally went close to extending their advantage but all their brilliant attacking options and dominance in the middle was not good enough to earn the rejuvenated Senegalese side a happy moment.

Most of the Gambia's chances fell to Steve Biko's prolific striker, Alasan Camara, but his efforts of putting the ball into the net all proved futile, while his strike-partner Ebrima Bojang was substituted in the 67th minute after failing to show the impressive performance which has made him one of the hottest properties in Gambian football of recent times.

 The game is U-17's first international friendly ahead of the Nigeria world cup, and it is expected to be followed by another friendly international at home to the young super eaglets of Nigeria.

In a separate but similar development, the Gambia Female National team secured an impressive 3-nil victory over the selection of players drawn from different female division one teams at the Independence Stadium. Goals from Saineh Sisoho, Ndey Biyai and Striker Sariba Colley were enough to give the National team the win.