Gunjur 0 vs 0 Bakau (Independence Stadium) The highly anticipated FIBank Super Nawettan 2017 curtain raiser between holders, Gunjur and Bakau kicked-off on Sunday evening at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. As expected the game drew large crowds from across the Greater Banjul, the Kombo South and all other parts of the country, with the respective fans draped up in the national flags and some various coloured t-shirts with slogans. The on-field bout was not less contested either, despite the game ending in a scoreless stalemate, as both teams did their best to stifle out the spaces at the back, in their bid to avoid defeat in the opening game. The first half was a little bit laborious at times for both sides, but overall Gunjur were the better side and they will be ruing their missed chances this morning. The Dabanani boys dominated large spells of possession during the game, but weren’t clinical enough to score, with both Mbemba Fatty, Malang Jassey and Lamin Jallow been guilty of squandering some pretty good chances. Both could've, or may be should've at least given the champions the lead early on.

However, despite the scoreline, the game was not a dull affair at all. Both teams offered some good attacking displays, and at times stringing together some neat passing moves to get to the final third. With a bit more composure from both ends, the scoreline could've been different. Gunjur's Lamin Jallow (Sako), who was one of the best finishers at last season's competition, also failed to score when put through on goal, one-on-one with Bakau's goalkeeper in the 54th min, while Mbemba also missed another good chance from close range few minutes towards the end of the game. And Gunjur nearly paid the price for not being clinical in front of the goal, when Bakau squandered a very good chance in the 70th minute mark, which should've been one nil. The game ended with both teams unscathed, but on another day Gunjur would've gone home with all three points. Bakau also had their moments in the game, but will be happy with the draw ahead of their next group game against Lamin on Wednesday evening, when Gunjur takes on the other Group A opponents, Serekunda Central at the Manjai Football ground. Lamin and SK Central will take their bow this evening at the Serekunda West Mini Stadium. The other games in the tournament this evening, Monday 16th October, will see Serekunda East take on the new boys, Kombo East at the SK East Mini Stadium, while Banjul face the other new comers, Foni in Manjai. Brikama will also take on Manjai in Brikama, at the Box Bar Mini Stadium. All games will kick-off at 4pm local time.