Two league draws at S/K East

Steve Biko FC head coach Abdoulie Bojang

Academy boys Samger were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw by the rejuvenated side Young Africans FC in a league-one game played at the Serekunda East Mini-Stadium on Saturday. 

While the giant killers Steve Biko also entertained the newly promoted Interior FC with a goalless draw, both games played at the Serekunda East mini stadium in the week-six fixtures of the 2013 GFA championship.

El-Hadji Sy expresses happiness after second win

Gambia Armed Forces FC

The head coach of Gambia Armed Forces Football Club has expressed delight at his side’s second straight win in the domestic league.

Senegalese El-Hadji Sy was speaking to reporters following his side’s 2-0 defeat at the expenses of ferry boys Gambia Ports Authority in a game played at the Box Bar Mini-Stadium in Brikama at the weekend.

Sy, who began the championship with loses, and only bounced back in his last two games, said:  “I thank God today for making it possible to collect the maximum points, and I congratulate my boys for the performance."

Hawks performance is satisfactory, says Sang Ndong

Hawks FC head coach Sang Ndong

The head coach of Hawks FC Sang Ndong has hailed the performance of his team despite their 2-1 defeat to the West Coast giants Brikama United in the week-six fixtures of the ongoing 2012-2013 Gamtel/Gamcel sponsored league at the Brikama Box Bar Mini Stadium last weekend.
 
Coach Ndong said he was really delighted at the performance of his team in a post-match interview with sports reporters shortly after the game.

Bakau KGI FC finally in Division 2

KGI FC Inline-up of the game

The famous Bakau-based nawettan team KGI FC on Monday defeated the city side Starlight of Banjul 1-0 to finally earn their promotion to the GFA second division league at a game played at the Father Gough Sports Complex in Manjai Kunda.

KGI FC joined Bombada FC of Brikama in the GFA second division league after finishing top and second positions respectively in the triangular qualifiers championship, with 9 points each out of four outings.

Gambia thrash by Mauritania 2-0

Gambia Home-Based Squard

The Gambia’s Scorpions, comprised of local home-based players, on Wednesday lost to the Mauritanian national team (Maurabitones) by 2-0 in the first leg of two friendly matches to be played between the two sides at the Independence Stadium in Bakau
 
Italian tactician coach Mancini invited 24 local-based players at the FIFA Goal Project in Yundum.

Darsilami begin campiang with win in SDK Sarahuleh tournament

Sise Sawaneh, SDK tournament reporter

Darsilami FC entertained Taifa by 4-2 score line on Sunday in the group stage matches of the Soumpou Doo-Khatti (SDK) second edition football tournament currently underway at the Serekunda West mini stadium.

Two goals from striker Muhammed Jaiteh in the two different halvess of the game peceeds Omar Jawara’s double strike to make it four goals for Sandu Darsilami FC. While Papa Jikineh and Ablie Jako cancels two goals defecits for CRR outfilt Taifa FC to end the scorres 4-2 in the regulation time

How 3 Gambian players missed out on lucrative contracts

Momodou Ceesay

Soon after the 2005 Under-17 World Cup in Peru, one of the best outings any Gambian team had in major competitions, some of the most outstanding players in that tourney in fact moved very close to becoming millionaires and Premiership stars. 

Though there were strong rumours about the heights the Gambian players scaled after that tourney, it has just been disclosed in detail how close they came to hitting the jackpot.

Omar Sey : GFA elections is still on March 30

Alh Oamr Sey

Bearly a week since the cart was taking out of the bag concerning the FIFA rejection of the GFA constitution by two third majority of delegates in December 2012.  The GFA through the Vice Chairman and the spokesperson of the Normalisation Committee on Thursday hold a press conference to informed the public through the media to hold another adoptive congress soon. However he was quick to highlight that the next GFA congress will still take place on the 30^th March 2013 without any doubt.  According to him, the proposed election is still on the card even though FIFA had expressed concern that the new developments may require a further extension. 

Scorpion coaches to relied on home-based players

Scorpion team

After months of preparation to build a strong national team comprises more of  local based players, technicians of the Gambia national male football team have decided take the bull by the horn to work with not more than three foreign-based players for the upcoming friendly match against the Maurabitones of Mauritania next week.

FIFA REJECTS ADOPTIVE GFA CONSTITUTION

World football governing body, FIFA, has rejected the adoptive constitution of The Gambia Football Association. It also tasked the Normalisation Committee to interpret the statutes of the FA in a way as to ensure that only clubs “which played regular GFA competitions” can participate in the General Assembly and thus be part of any statutes revision of electoral process.

In a press release sent to Marketplace  Sports desk, GFA Media Officer Bakary B Baldeh writing under the directive of the GFA Normalisation Committee, revealed that following the December 8th, 2012 Adoptive Congress, the world football governing body has finally written to the GFA about their verdict on the congress. The draft constitution,which was put before delegates incorporated all the substantiated changes to the constitution and “accepted by FIFA, CAF and government and finally sent to FIFA was placed before delegates for voting at the Friendship Hostel hall on December 8th, 2013”.

Gambia Golf Association: Press Release

The President of The Gambia Golf Association, Ebrima Jawara has issued a press release on the launching of his book he authored about the development achievements of President Jammeh slated for Saturday 24th February.

President Yahya A.J.J Jammeh

The launching which will be held under the most distinguished patronage of the President himself is also part of the celebrations for the country’s 48th Independence Anniversary.

Ebrima, who is the son of Gambia’s former president revealed last month that he authored the book highlighting the development projects that were undertaken under the leadership of His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh. The book is titled ‘Overview of development projects in The Gambia under President Jammeh’s leadership: 1994 to 2012.’

Below is the full text of the press release issued by the President of The Gambia Golf Association:

BOOK LAUNCHING

Bajana Congress Marathon set for March 30

Volunteers of the Gambia Tourism, a charitable organisation, is set to organise a 10km run for male and 5km run for female athletes called the Bajana Congress Marathon set to take place on 30 March 2013 at Bajana Village, Foni Berefet, at 9.00am, according to Mbacke Njie, administrator of The Gambia Volunteer Tourism.

The 10km race will start from Kafuta Primary School while the 5km run will begin from Kafuta Forest and end at the Bajana Nursery School.

Omar 'Waterman' Jasseh on trial at Werder Bremen

German Bundesliga club SV Werder Bremen have taken Gambian midfielder Omar ‘Waterman’ Jasseh on trial, Gambia Sports Online can exclusively reveal.

Omar ‘Waterman’ Jasseh

The 20-year-old has been without a club since he was waived by the San Jose Earthquakes on July 19, 2011 during the summer transfer period in the Major League Soccer.

Werder Bremen is currently 11th in the Bundesliga, 29 points behind the leaders Bayern Munich, whom they face next at the Allianz-Arena.

Hamang Conteh’s brace earns Gamtel advantage over ASC HLM

Gamtel FC

Hamang Conteh gave Gamtel a precious 2-1 advantage over Senegalese club ASC HLM on Sunday at the Box Bar mini stadium in Brikama, in the first leg preliminary round of the 10th edition of Africa’s secondary club football competition organized by CAF.

Middlesex group conducts coaching and sports leadership course

A three-day joint coaching and sports leadership course is underway at the Independence Stadium Hostel, being conducted by the visiting Middlesex lecturers and students, under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Declaring the course open, deputy permanent secretary Malang Jassey of the Ministry of Sports congratulated the visitors and expressed his ministry’s delight to be associated with the training and the entire programme of the partnership since it allows the sharing of globalised theories and practical experience, which is vital to achieving excellence.

Football Gambia strengthens ties with communities

Over 46 British volunteers from Football Gambia, a charitable organisation based in the United Kingdom, recently took part in meaningful project activities geared towards improving the lives of Gambians through physical and financial contribution to enable the needy realise their primary objectives.

Father Joseph Gough Sports Foundation honours Gambians

Father Joseph Gough Sports Foundation on Saturday 9 February 2013 honoured Gambians who have contributed towards education, religion, sport and the socio-economic development of The Gambia at its annual award dinner held at D’nubian Seafood Garden.

Father Joseph Gough

Speaking at the award ceremony, Father Joseph Gough said he was pleased to award the beneficiaries forv their hard work, adding that this was the fifth edition of the award but has happened at a time of sad moments since he is leaving The Gambia this month.

It is disappointing but that is life, he said, while thanking all that graced the occasion.

Oremi Joiner, master of ceremony for the award function, said the award has been an annual event for the Father Joseph Gough Sports Foundation, adding that the efforts of Father Gough should not go unrecognised because the Foundation has done a lot of things for societies in the country.

International Chess Federation officials arrive in Banjul

Two international delegates, Stewart Reuben and David R. Sedgwick, are currently in Banjul for a three-week training course Marketplace sports desk can confirmed. The two international officials arrived last Thursday from England.

Stewart Reuben is an international Arbiter of FIDE and an international candidate master of the International Chess Arbiter Federation, while David R. Sedgwick is the manager responsible for international arbiter and representative of the federation of the UK Sports Alliance.

Burkina Faso coach hoping to Put back time

A Burkina Faso victory in Sunday's final against Nigeria would prove a second straight Africa Cup of Nations fairytale - but Belgian coach Paul Put simply hopes it can mark his redemption back home.

For the 56-year-old may not have ventured into the African game were it not for the ban he received in Belgium following his implication in a match-fixing scandal.

Paul Put, Head Coach Burkina Faso

The former Lierse coach received a three-year ban from the Belgian FA (RBFA) following allegations the side had taken money from a Chinese betting syndicate to lose matches under his tenure in 2004-05.

 “Now everybody in Belgium is calling me - radio programmes, television programmes - but I'm still the same Paul Put as before ”

The man who has guided the rank outsiders to their first Nations Cup final says he was made a scapegoat by Belgian football for what was a widespread problem. He also claims he was acting under duress after being threatened by those leading the scam.

"I was threatened by the mafia," Put told reporters this week. "My child was not safe.

"Fixing games is a big word. The team at that moment had nothing. It was in a very bad condition. It was not by our will."

Paul Put Critics: Chicken Hearts die of Shame

The former Coach of the Gambia national football team Paul Put has proven his critics wrong by qualifying Burkina Faso for their first ever Nations Cup final in history.

Paul Put, Former Gambian Coach

He guided the stallions of Burkina to 3-2 penalties win over tournament favorite Ghana on Wednesday night in South Africa.

Paul Put was doing a great job in the Gambia until then Ministry of Youth and Sports,headed by  Sheriff Gomez and his then permanent Secretary, now at the helm at the Ministry, issued a press release that Paul contract was termanated .

Some people are in favour of  Paul Put sacking by the Ministry of Youth and now those same people are now using the case of  Coach Steve Keshi  of  Nigeria and Coach Appiah of Ghana  for example of successful local coaches in Africa.

More than 25 Staffs Sacked at Gambia Football Association

Barely four weeks after Sports View Newspaper reported a possible sacking of the entire staff of the Gambia Football Association, it has been confirmed that about 25 staffs of the GFA have received their termination letter on Wednesday February 06th, 2013.

Sanna Bojang, GFA Kits Manager

According to sources, the terminations, which will take effect from March 01^st, 2012, were contained in dispatched letters signed by the Acting Secretary General of The Gambia Football Association to affected staff yesterday.

The terminated staffs include technical staff and some office employees.

The high profiled manes advanced on the list of the terminated staff list include   National team goalkeeper coach trainer  Alhagie Marong, U-20 and National team  assistant  coach Lamin Sarr, U-17 coach  Lamin Sambou, National team kits Manager Sanna Bojang, secretaries such as Fatou Sambou,  Fatou Ceesay, all the GFA regional coaches  and security personals  to name but a few.

Drogba:I want to win the Champions League with Galatasaray

The veteran attacker is hungry for European glory following his transfer to Istanbul, and is looking forward to teaming up with his new team-mates

Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba is hoping to win the Champions League for a second season in a row, having sealed a move to Galatasaray.

The Cote d'Ivoire international signed an 18-month deal with Cimbom in the winter transfer window after a short spell with Shanghai Shenhua, and is determined to make his stay in Turkey a success.

Suarez casts doubt over long-term Liverpool future

The striker says he is happy "for now" but wants to wait and see what the club's position is at the end of the season, admitting it is not a title contender any longer.

Luis Suarez is happy at Liverpool for now, but has hinted at doubts over his long-term future on Merseyside.

The Uruguay international has been in terrific form for the Reds this term, netting 17 goals in 24 league games, and has been a key figure at Anfield since his 26.5 million euro move from Ajax in January 2011.

Nigeria in first Africa Cup of Nations final in 13 years

By Stephen Fottrell BBC Sport

Nigeria eased through to their first Africa Cup of Nations final in 13 years with a comfortable victory over Mali.

Defender Elderson Echiejile opened the scoring, heading home Victor Moses' cross, before Brown Ideye bundled past Mali keeper Mamadou Samassa.

The Super Eagles made it three with Emmanuel Emenike's shot deflecting in off Mali midfielder Momo Sissoko.

Substitute Ahmed Musa stroked home Nigeria's fourth, before Cheick Diarra grabbed a consolation for the Eagles.

Burkina Faso reached first Africa Cup of Nations final

By Ian Hughes BBC Sport

Burkina Faso reached their first Africa Cup of Nations final by beating Ghana on penalties in a dramatic and controversial semi-final in Nelspruit.

The Burkinabe were denied spot-kicks in normal time and in extra-time, when they also had a goal ruled out, and saw Jonathan Pitroipa harshly sent off.

Burkina Faso Team

Mubarak Wakaso put Ghana ahead in normal time with a debatable spot-kick, before Aristide Bance equalised.

Burkina Faso won the penalty shoot-out 3-2 to set up a meeting with Nigeria.

That Pitroipa - outstanding throughout the tournament - will not be a part of that showpiece match in Johannesburg will take some of the joy out of the victors' celebrations.