Photo: Santos FC - Winners of 2017 Aisha Cham Manjang Trophy
Young Santos FC thumped Jujuba United 3 - 1 to clinch the Aisha Cham Manjang league cup of late Modou Janneh Memorial intermediate football competition. Yakuba Saine put Jujuba in front before the interval but, second half comeback goals from Abdoulie Touray, Lamin Jobe and Arafang Jammeh were enough to hand Santos the winners trophy, medals and cash prize of D5,000 at Gunjur Nyamina arena on Monday 4th September. Aside from the senior league competition, the late Modou Janneh memorial intermediate football competition is the most decorated and organise competition in Gunjur. With Jujuba appearing for the first time in the finals and Santos reaching the league finals for the second time makes the tie well graced. Among those in attendance was Badara Njie Bajo Executive Director of GEPADG, Lamin N. Darbo chairman Gunjur Sports Committee, Bubacarr Kakai Bojang head coach Gunjur town team etc. The tie was a game of two halfs with Jujuba controlling the first period, and Santos commanding the second half.
Modou Janneh Memorial Trophy
Santos were the side whose supporters first arrived at the field but, their presence seemed to be felt more by Jujuba than the side they were roaring for. The ambience from Santos fans seemed to instilled more courage, determinations and hunger into Jujuba as they kept fighting throughout the first half. Their efforts were rewarded before the break when Yakuba Saine put them in front with a beautiful right footed strike into the top right hand corner of Yakuba Touray's net. However, after the interval, Santos perfectly carried out instructions given to them by coach Bakary S. Touray and his backroom staff. It didn't take them long to get back on level terms as young Abdoulie Touray cancelled out Yakuba's goal with a brilliant free kick. Another goal soon arrived as the pacy Lamin Jobe sneak from behind to tap home a tight angle finish following a fine cross from the right. Jujuba were both tacticially and technically poor leaving too many spaces at the back and Arafang Jammeh powered in a cracking half volly to make it 3 - 1 to Santos.
Photo: Jujuba United FC - Runer up
Jujuba tried as they might, but, Santos led by captain Ismaila Janneh were far too strong. Jujuba looked disappointed after the final whistle but, went home with a consolation prize of D4,000 plus two individual awards as their coach Ousman Ndong grab Abdourahman Bojang sponsored best coach's award, while defender Lamin Jatta wins Abdou Sarr Janneh sponsored best defender's award. Green Vision F.C formerly Buckingham United's captain Bakary Touray retains Mamakaddy Bajo's sponsored best players award for the second season running, while his teammate Kawsu Jatta scooped top scorers award also sponsored by Mamakaddy Bajo. Dortmund F.C's Yaya Touray was awarded the best goal keeper. While Pa Mambuna Bojang sponsored most disciplined team's award goes to Bayern F.C of Kulkoch.
Santos FC celebrating winning the Modou Janneh Memorial Trophy
Jujuba United will still have to wait for another season to try their luck again, but for Santos this is their second league triumph since the inception of this competition.