Wales FC on Sunday defeated Bantaba FC 1-nil to secure a place in the final of the Serrekunda East Sports Development Organisation (SESDO) Nawettan competition.
They are now set to meet Hands on Africa who earlier beat Milan FC by the same score-line to advance to the final, which is yet to be scheduled.
Buba Sambou scored the only goal of the game for Wales FC in the 77th minute of the game from a sensible header in a keenly contested encounter that saw Bantaba FC end the game with ten men after Edrissa Jarju was sent off in the 51st minute of the game after been shown a straight red card for a challenge on Wales FC’s left-back Muhammed Konna.
Medina FC have guaranteed their place in the final of the knockout competition of the same Organisation after defeating neighbours Juventus FC 5-4 on post-match penalty shootouts after a goalless draw on regulation time.
They are now billed to lock horns with the winner between Bantaba FC and Ball Conge FC, who were on penalty kicks as of press time.
At the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium on Sunday, Gamtel FC beat Serrekunda West Zonal team 2-1 in a friendly encounter.
Abdoulie Touray and Assan Ceesay scored Gamtel’s goal in the 16th and 37th minutes of the game while Serrekunda West Zonal team’s consolation was scored by Samsideen Badjie from a penalty spot.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Pap Barrow, assistant coach of Wales FC, said they were delighted at beating Bantaba FC and qualifying for the final, adding that they had the belief that they were going to win the game even before the kick-off.
Playing against ten men is more or less the same as playing eleven against eleven, he said, noting that they played with ten-man Nguma FC during the early stages of the competition and lost the game.
He concluded by saying: “Anybody who misses the final will miss a great moment.”
Lamin ‘Dugal’ Jammeh, head coach of Bantaba FC, said he was happy despite losing, adding that both teams played very well during the game.
“Wales FC are a more experienced team than us because their team comprises more of first-division players, especially their defence line, which is made up of huge experienced players,” he said, while describing the game as “very good” for both sides.
He added that his team knows how to defend against eleven men but noted that fatigue contributed to their defeat “but it was a fair game after all”.
They have taken the defeat in good faith, he said, adding that they are looking forward to next year after qualifying for both semifinals this year’s trophies.
Joe King Mendy, president of Wales FC, said they are always at the forefront, adding that early preparation always yields.
He said they would win the trophy and take it to Serrekunda Central where they are from.
“Football has tactics and we want Bantaba FC to attack us; we will confuse them and score,” he added, saying no team can stop them from winning the trophy.
“Meeting Hands on Africa FC in the final is like meeting any other team,” he said further. “We will beat Hands on Africa FC and lift the trophy come the final. Let the fans come out and witness us lifting the trophy.”
