By Landing Ceesay
The Brikama Zonal Team have outclassed Gunjur Zonal team to win the West Coast Region Zonal Super Cup.
The West Coast Region Zonal Super Cup Final between the defending champions Gunjur and Brikama, began with an ambience in the four corners of Box Bar Mini Stadium with over a thousand spectators from across the country..
The game that featured one of the brightest youngsters, in West Coast Region and the country at large, was graced by several dignitaries including the National Assembly Member for Brikama South, Lamin J. Sanneh, and the President of the Gambia Football Federation, Lamin Kaba Bajo.
Brikama were crowned Champions of the second edition of the Zonal Super Cup final, after defeating the defending champions, Gunjur 3-0.
Gunjur started the game in a scintillating style of play and were awarded a penalty just 2 minutes into the game.
Their number 10, Babucarr Bojang stepped up, but his shot from the 12-yard was saved by the Brikama shot-stopper, Ebrima Fadera.
Barely a minute later, Brikama takes the lead (3rd minute) of the game through their star striker, Saikouba Ceesay.
Saikou Ceesay again scored in the 22nd minute of the game, but it was ruled out for offside.
Moments later, Gunjur have a clear chance to level terms in the 34th minute of the game, but Brikama’s goalkeeper, Ebrima Fadera punched it away.
Gunjur’s Babucarr Bojang hit the crossbar with a powerful header, seconds before the end of the 1st half, which was later cleared by the Brikama defence.
The first half ended 1.0 in favour of Brikama, courtesy of Saikouba Ceesay’s superb finish in the 3rd minute of the game.
Brikama doubled their lead in the 47th minute of the game, 2 minutes, after the start of the second half through Babucarr Sanneh, who dribbled past 3 players, before finding the net with a cool finish.
Six minutes later, Babucarr Sanneh scored his second goal of the game to put Brikama in a commanding position by increasing their lead to 3.0.
After Brikama took the lead, Gunjur have created numerous goal-scoring chances, but could not find the back of the net.
The game ended 3-0 in favour of Brikama at the Box Bar Mini Stadium.
Speaking to the media shortly after the game, Sulayman Barrow, Head Coach of the Gunjur Zonal team said his side could not capitalise on their chances in the game, and that’s why they lost to a very discipline Brikama side.
Barrow further stated that the inexperience of his side also contributed to his side’s defeat to Brikama.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Mankajang, the Head Coach of the Brikama Zonal team said he told his players that Gunjur cannot always come to their home and beat them.
“I told them that today they must beat Gunjur. That’s exactly what they did, and won the trophy,” Mankajang said.
The two powerhouse in the West Coast Region have met on several occasions, but this is the first time in over a decade Brikama defeated Gunjur.
In the last two meetings between Gunjur and Brikama, Gunjur came out on top defeating Brikama in an aggregate score of 6-2.
The young Brikama side went home with a giant trophy, gold medals and a cash prize of D15, 000; while Gunjur went home with Silver medals and a consolation prize of D10, 000.