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Switching allegiance to childhood club an ideal move: former Saul Samba midfielder

Oct 3, 2011, 2:27 PM

Former Saul Samba combative midfielder Ebrima Ceesay, aka Touch, says he is extremely delighted at switching allegiance to childhood Naweetan club Zuwa FC after a two-year spell with the Saul Samba outfit.

The 17-year-old midfield sensation, who has built a great reputation as one of the brightest prospects in Bakau football at the Naweetan level, was hugely considered the driving force behind the success of his former club, Saul Samba, the team he guided to the quarterfinal of last year’s Naweetan in dazzling style.

But he has reluctantly failed to continue with his Naweetan career with the Bakau Newtown outfit this term despite several attempts by the club’s top officials to retain the services of the energetic midfielder who was spotted from Hawks Academy three years ago.

The player has made no secret of his desire to call time on his Saul Samba career in an interview with Pointsport at his residence in Bakau Newtown on Saturday night saying: “It is my greatest ambition to return to my childhood team because I believe my future lies with them.

“I want to rejoin my childhood friends because with them I can quickly rediscover my best form in a bid to win silverware with the team that played the finest attacking football throughout last year’s Naweetan in Bakau.”

The Gambia’s midfield hopeful made these statements in an interview with this reporter barely 24 hours before he could make his eagerly anticipated debut for his new team.

Ceesay’s hope of appearing for Zuwa FC was hanging by a threat with the news that his former team, Saul Samba, was unwilling to pay the fine of D2,000 imposed on them by the Bakau Zonal Sports Committee for their role in the last year’s violence that marred the first round match against Vidar.

The team was blamed of erupting fracas in the aftermath of their 1-1 draw with Vidar after they were accused of protesting bitterly against the central referee’s decision and eventually left the stadium in anger and frustration when Ceesay was still their player.

The committee’s regulations indicate that no team shall enter the competition without settling the fine making things complicated for Ceesay to make any move during the process and as a result was forced out of the Zuwa FC team’s starting line-up in the Super Cup final, which caused him to miss the team’s opener in the process.

But he has now been given the green light to steer for his club of choice following confirmation that Saul Samba have settled their differences with the committee by paying their fine.

The news comes as a welcoming development for Coach Yankuba Jammeh and his charges, who are determined to turn the club’s fortune around following what pundits referred to as a dismal start to the 24-team campaign.

The team has blown away what appeared to be an easy chance of grapping the maximum points amid a disappointing 1-1 draw against newcomers Farokono FC, in their opener last week but Ceesay’s involvement could prove a turning point for the Bakau Newtown youthful side, who have already secured a Super Cup title in a spectacular style a fortnight ago.

With many senior Naweetan caps under his belt coupled with his experience with previous club, Ceesay is one of the best known youngsters in Bakau in recent times.

Former Saul Samba combative midfielder Ebrima Ceesay, aka Touch, says he is extremely delighted at switching allegiance to childhood Naweetan club Zuwa FC after a two-year spell with the Saul Samba outfit.

The 17-year-old midfield sensation, who has built a great reputation as one of the brightest prospects in Bakau football at the Naweetan level, was hugely considered the driving force behind the success of his former club, Saul Samba, the team he guided to the quarterfinal of last year’s Naweetan in dazzling style.

But he has reluctantly failed to continue with his Naweetan career with the Bakau Newtown outfit this term despite several attempts by the club’s top officials to retain the services of the energetic midfielder who was spotted from Hawks Academy three years ago.

The player has made no secret of his desire to call time on his Saul Samba career in an interview with Pointsport at his residence in Bakau Newtown on Saturday night saying: “It is my greatest ambition to return to my childhood team because I believe my future lies with them.

“I want to rejoin my childhood friends because with them I can quickly rediscover my best form in a bid to win silverware with the team that played the finest attacking football throughout last year’s Naweetan in Bakau.”

The Gambia’s midfield hopeful made these statements in an interview with this reporter barely 24 hours before he could make his eagerly anticipated debut for his new team.

Ceesay’s hope of appearing for Zuwa FC was hanging by a threat with the news that his former team, Saul Samba, was unwilling to pay the fine of D2,000 imposed on them by the Bakau Zonal Sports Committee for their role in the last year’s violence that marred the first round match against Vidar.

The team was blamed of erupting fracas in the aftermath of their 1-1 draw with Vidar after they were accused of protesting bitterly against the central referee’s decision and eventually left the stadium in anger and frustration when Ceesay was still their player.

The committee’s regulations indicate that no team shall enter the competition without settling the fine making things complicated for Ceesay to make any move during the process and as a result was forced out of the Zuwa FC team’s starting line-up in the Super Cup final, which caused him to miss the team’s opener in the process.

But he has now been given the green light to steer for his club of choice following confirmation that Saul Samba have settled their differences with the committee by paying their fine.

The news comes as a welcoming development for Coach Yankuba Jammeh and his charges, who are determined to turn the club’s fortune around following what pundits referred to as a dismal start to the 24-team campaign.

The team has blown away what appeared to be an easy chance of grapping the maximum points amid a disappointing 1-1 draw against newcomers Farokono FC, in their opener last week but Ceesay’s involvement could prove a turning point for the Bakau Newtown youthful side, who have already secured a Super Cup title in a spectacular style a fortnight ago.

With many senior Naweetan caps under his belt coupled with his experience with previous club, Ceesay is one of the best known youngsters in Bakau in recent times.