Young Africans defeat Wallidan in GFA League opener

Young Africans made themselves and new coach Pa Samba Mbenga proud yesterday after a 2-1 win over Wallidan at the KG5 mini-stadium in the 2012 GFA league season opener.

The game started with both teams sharing possession with both teams looking focused. Young Africans came close to scoring in the opening 10th minute of the game through Saidou Badjie but his shot just went wide.

Wallidan’s Ismaila Singhateh scored the first goal of the season in the 13th minute through a defensive blunder among the Young Africans defence. His captain, Muhammed Kona was later booked thirteen minutes later because of a reckless challenge on a Young Africans player.

Young Africans Ebrima Njie should have leveled the scores for his team but he just squandered the chance by putting it wide.

Young Africans pulled level in the second minute of added time before the break through Sarjo Janko who was given much time by the Wallidan defence to trigger a shot past Ansumana Samateh who was at goal for Wallidan.

Both teams came into the second half with some super fire power as both know what’s already at stake for them. Wallidan came closer to increasing their lead minutes into the second half but Malick Dambell’s poor effort went wide.

Young Africans increased their lead in the 64th minute through Ebrima Njie who scored through Saidou Badjie’s low cross from the left side of the pitch and Njie easily dinked the ball past Ansumana Samateh.

Both teams introduced some fresh legs in the second period with Salifu Ceesay and Sulayman Colley coming in for Ebrima Njie and Saidou Badjie respectively for Young Africans whilst Wallidan introduced Daniel Nicol in place of Momodou Lamin Ceesay and George Cole for Bakary Njie.

The game was marred by two red cards issued to Sarjo Janko of Young Africans and Wallidan’s captain Muhammed Kona by central referee Omar Sallah for an ungentlemanly conduct. A minute later, Wallidan’s Ousman Sillah came close to level the scores for his team but he misplaced his shot by shooting it wide.

Young Africans Sulayman Colley had a chance to increase his team’s tally in the 88th minute but he could just watch his shot being ruled out by the post and his team mate Yusupha Sam couldn’t get a final touch to the ball as it went out for a rebound.

The game’s last kick saw George Cole’s well-taken free-kick blocked by the cross-bar. The game ended 2-1.

The day’s other game took place at the Serrekunda East mini-stadium between Gambia Armed Forces and Real de Banjul. Armed Forces ran out 2-0 winners with both goals coming from striker Kabba Jobe.

Samger FC takes on Steve Biko today at the Serrekunda East mini-stadium while newly promoted clubs Serrekunda United and Hawks FC take on each other at the Brikama mini-stadium.