Kalilu Jarju’s 24th minutes looping strike was all but enough to mute Brikama United and their lousy fans at their own fortress (Box Ba).
Brikama United, came to the match as the better of the two sides; as they were sitting second on the table with 10 points, only a point behind the league leaders Wallidan who were a point ahead of them. Whilst Gamtel were occupying the bottom of the pool.
Suspensions and injuries were concerns for both sides coming in to the intriguing encounter. Brikama United miss their first choice wingbacks Hamidou Bojang who is injured while his fellow Under 20 international Habibou Mendy missed the match due to accumulating 3 yellow cards in a row.
Gamtel, on the other hand; miss so many players either on injuries or they’re serving suspensions for their unsporting behaviours including Head Coach Sulayman Kuyateh and second assistant Alagie Amadou Ngum. Despite missing so many keys including their head coach. Gamtel started the match on a strong foot.
Gamtel made their early dominance count in the 24th minutes when Brikama born striker Kalilu Jarju send Gamtel faithfuls into a wild celebration, when Yusupha Badjie lift a ball over a lazy Brikama United defence which Gamtel tall lanky forward Kalilu Jarju loop over a hapless Brikama United goalie Musa Jatta.
Kalilu’s strike prove to be the difference as Gamtel, sat deep inside their own half to frustrate Brikama United and hit them on quick counter attacks. Which yield them a positive results for the first time this season. Speaking at a post match interview, Brikama United head coach Modou Lamin Nyassi, praised Gamtel for their well planned assault.
He also defend his inexperience centre back duo of Baboucarr Sawo and Yahya Touray who had a day to forget. “Actually it was a very poor game. I have to commend Gamtel because they played a very good game. They came on a man to man tactics, they got what they want in the first half and their planned worked for them.
“They’re all registered and I trust both them. They are young players and we need to give them time to catch up.
We have both our regular fullbacks unavailable so we have to use them. Nyassi explained. Gim Kebbeh, who deputies for his suspended boss Sulayman Kuyateh, was understandable relieved for his side narrow win against Brikama.
“We thank God. We were looking for this since the start of the league but we couldn’t. We thank God that our plan worked in this first half and we carried the day.
“It is the way we approached the game. So today we played two strikers in the name of Kalilu and Yahya so we have to feed them. “Yes we decided to defend our one goal lead than rather to opened up against a tricky side like Brikama United in their own playing ground.”
BY EBRIMA KB SONKO