Gambia: NPE Win Old Jeshwang Knockout Finals

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Fatoumata Ceesay

28 June 2011

NPE football club won the Old Jeshwang Sports Development Association’s knockout football finals after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Barcelona at a well played match at the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GIIT) football field on Sunday.

Upon completion of the Nawettan finals, the two traditional rivals squared off on Sunday for the right to be crown winners of the community’s second cup. The finals attracted a lot of football enthusiasts from the community and its surroundings with supporters of both teams singing and dancing to cheer their heroes on. Both players and supporters were entertained by a musical sound system and the game was well played with no violence from players or supporters compared to the previous encounters during which the committee encountered all sorts of problems.

After 90 minutes of football which failed to produce neither a goal nor a winner as regulation time ended with a goalless stalemate, the match was settled by the post-match penalty shoot-out which NPE eventually won by 4-3. As winners, NPE football club went home with a giant trophy and a cash prize of D15,000 (fifteen thousand dalasi) while Barcelona went home with a consolation prize of D10,000 as runners up. Both teams received their prizes with discipline.

Ebrima Joof head coach of the losing Barcelona team said that his team is the smallest among the two and has only registered to the senior level 4 year ago adding that since then they have produced some excellent players. Coach Joof also expressed his delight of a respectful, honest and discipline game adding he hope to see the team at another final which he hopes to win. Football, he said is a win and loose sport as two teams cannot win together, adding that one day victory will be theirs.

For his part, Yankuba Manjang coach of NPE opined that his team being an old team has nothing to do with them winning the championship. Coach Manjang also expressed delight and congratulated supporters of both clubs for their well mannered behavior during the game. He added that both teams should maintain discipline and hard work so as to achieve what is expected of them. He also thanked Africell for their unwavering support to the team for the past four years before assuring that he and his team members will make sure that the money is put into good use.

The councillor of Old Jeshwang Ward, Sheriff Sarr who sponsored and organised the tournament, expressed gratitude and thanked God for a successful game with discipline and fair play. Councillor Sarr added that the players are young people with great talents and should come together and apply their potentials. He noted that the motto of Old Jeshwang Sports Association is; ‘Definitive no to Drugs and Alcohol’. He also encouraged young people to make good use of their lives and say no to drugs and alcohol as they damage peoples’ health. Young people, Sarr said are the future leaders. He also thanked Sheikh Tijan Secka for his support and the organizing committee for making the game a successful one.

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