Second Division League set for Thursday

The long awaited  Gambia Second Division League is set to begin Thursday with promotion back to the top flight on the minds of some of the clubs. Record Gambian champions, Banjul Wallidan, will be hoping for a strong start to the campaign in order to make a quick return, after their shock relegation from the top flight last season.

The Normalisation Committee of the Gambia Football Association announced the development regarding the second tier campaign after arrangements have been finalised in the drawing of fixtures and other logistics.

Meanwhile, five playing venues have been identified for the 10-team Second Division League. The venues are: Father Gough Sports Complex in Manjai Kunda, Serekunda East and West Mini-Stadiums, the KG5 Mini-Stadium in Banjul and the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Banjul Wallidan and Serekunda United FC were relegated from the top flight last season. Both teams will join Sait Matty, Serekunda East, Tallinding United, Lamin United, Latrikunda United and Banjul United in the Second Division. The two promoted teams are the Kanilai Group International –KGI- and Bombada replacing the relegated Starlight and Gunjur United.

Bombarda, who secured their place in Gambian league football for the first time came through as a representative from the West Coast Region and earned their place courtesy of a 1-0 win over Starlight in the five-team triangulars. KGI also secured their place with a win against the same opposition.

Starlight, who have been struggling between the second division and third division qualifiers in recent seasons have finally been relegated from the second division and will have to put their acts together in order to make a return to league football. They have been joined by Gunjur United who have gone straight back following their promotion last year.

Source: Daily Observer