#Sports

SK East Nawettan: Jola Kunda coach optimistic of progressing to round of 16

Sep 14, 2023, 11:16 AM | Article By: Arfang M.S. Camara & Lamin Gibba

Lamin Kijera, head coach of Jola Kunda FC, has expressed optimism that his side would secure qualification to the round of 16 of the 2023 Serrekunda East ‘nawettan’ despite drawing two matches and losing one.

Coach Kijera was speaking to The Point Sports shortly after his side's barren goalless draw against Late Njuga in their third Group A game played at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium on Tuesday.

Jola Kunda FC drew their two opening group matches against Goh Bii and Late Njuga before losing to Eagle Star.

They collected two points in three group games.

“I am hundred percent optimistic that we are not going to be relegated.

I am also very hopeful that we will progress to the round of 16 of the nawettan despite having one match left,” said the Jola Kunda coach Lamin Kijera in an interview.

Coach Kijera expressed disappointment after his side draw against Late Njuga FC in their third group match, adding that is not the result he was expecting.

“From the first week, the way we trained coming into the game against Late Njuga was very good.

So, we cannot explain this kind of performance to anyone after dominating and missing a lot of chances during the game,” he said.

Coach of Jola Kunda who guided his team to three group stage matches without scoring any goal said he was disappointed losing most of their goal scoring chances, leaving the scoreline goalless.

“We will go back to the training ground and work harder for our next and final group stage encounter.

It is embarrassing playing three games without scoring a single point.

Kebba Jammeh, head coach of Late Njuga, stated that it is normal sharing the spoils against Jola Kunda, adding that this means Late Njuga will be competing again in the nawettan next season as that they would not be in the relegation zone.

“I am little bit disappointed with the performance of my players.

‘‘Our performance was below expectations,'’ he said.

Late Njuga FC now collected four points in three games after losing their opening match against Timbuktu, winning their second game against Goh Bii before drawing against Jola Kunda.

In the other results

Late Njuga 0-1 Timbuktu

Cannon FC 3-2 Old Hands

Falcons 1-2 Rangers FC

Abuko United 0-0 London United.

T Central 0-0 Lions of T Town

Future Stars 4-0 Bijankerr

D.B.O 0-0 T Town

LN Border Bii 1-2 New Germany

Casa United 1-1 Future Bii

In the second-round results

Eagle Star 1-0 Jola Kunda

Old Hands 0-0 United Stars

Medina 0-0 Ebbeh Gi

Magtab Warriors 2-1 BB Rovers

Late Njuga 1-0 Goh Bi

Macassa FC 0-0 LN Border Bii

Milan FC 0-1 Falcons

T Central 1-0 Ball Conge

Hannover 1-0 London United

RSL Zurich 1-0 Nguma

Wah Sa Halat 1-1 Border Bii

D.B.O 0-1 Milan Ross

Leeds United 2-0 Bijankerr

TK Snookers 0-0 Latrikunda United

Juventus 2-0 Bantaba

At the time of going to press yesterday, Eagle Stars were taking on Gohh Bi before Old Hands played against Future Bi.