The boys from Gunjur Dabanani ran riotous at the Father Gough Sports Complex in Manjai on Wednesday evening, destroying Serekunda Central with an emphatic 3-0 victory in the second game of their title defence in the 2017 FIBank Super Nawettan campaign. The Champions have finally sent warning signals to their competition rivals with this magnificent victory, which will surely send alarm bells ringing this morning, as it serve notice to the rest of the teams about the strength in depth at the champions disposal. The comprehensive 3 goal scoreline will surely lay to rest any doubts that may have benn lingering in the wake of the team's disappointing opening game against Bakau last Sunday, where a handful of goalscoring opportunities went begging, only to finish the game with a goalless draw. A brace from Mbemba Fatty, capped by a last minute goal from the prolific marksman, Lamin Jallow (Sakho), who came on from the bench as a second half substitute, in the place of the injured Adam Bangura, secured all three points for Gunjur. Gunjur were devastating on the attack, and often scythe through a poor SK Central defence with a string of some very slick and swift passes. And With a more youthful and dynamic team, who were smarter and quicker on the ball, SK players struggled to cope with them, and ultimately they were forced to meekly crumble in the second half. Their biggest tormentor in the half was Gunjur's playmaker, Adam Bangura, who had a lot of rave reviews before this tournament, as one of the best players in Gunjur's domestic Nawettan this season, and it was no surprise to see his influence in last night's game. He was central in most of the sleek moves from Gunjur in the first half, and a terrific effort from him set the tone for this dwell, as he forced the SK goalkeeper into a diving save in the opening minute of the game. He was also a bit wasteful earlier on, after squandering what should have been the opener from yards out. Right back and Captain, Lamin Bojang also blasted a good effort into the side netting, following a clever Gunjur attack. And striker Malang Jassey also continued his struggles in front of goal as he fired wide on two occasions after some brilliant Barcelona-like "tiki-taka" football from Gunjur.
SereKunda Central Zonal Team
As the game wears on, SK Central offered very little going forward, apart from few half chances that went wide off the Gunjur goal. And the only other time the Gunjur net-minder got involved in the game was when he had to deal with few long crosses or to collect loose balls within his 18yard box. But despite this dominance, the first half ended in a stalemate. Gunjur then emerged from the break in a more determined mood and almost carved out a breakthrough in the 50th minute, when both Mbemba Fatty and Adama Bangura had shots cleared off the line, following a corner from Salifu Bojang. To make amends for not living up to the high standards they'd set for themselves in their title winning campaign last term, both Mbemba (Iniesta) and Lamin Jallow (Sakho) were on fire in Manjai. Both manifested the true prolific instincts that made them standout in the last campaign, where they were both hugely instrumental in winning the championship for Gunjur. However the duo both had an off day on Sunday against Bakau, with both guilty of wasting some very well placed chances in the game, particularly Sakho, who failed to convert a one-on-one chance with the Bakau goalie, early in the second half. Gunjur continue to grab Central by the throat and duely got the reward for their dominance midway through the second half. Once again Adama Bangura was the orchestrator, as he marauded through the half-way line with great visionary skills and magical ball controlling, after picking up possession inside Gunjur's own half and turned two SK midfielders inside-out to cross over into the opponent's goal area, where he skipped past a couple of challenges. In doing so, he may have had a touch too heavy as he approached the SK defensive line, which drew a challenge from an SK central defender, but he missed the clearance as the ball ricocheted off him to find Fatty, who capitalized by chesting the ball down, took another touch to cue his shot, before unleashing a cracking thunderbolt from the edge of the box to give Gunjur the lead. It was nothing less than their endeavour deserved, and this sent the travelling crowd into wild celebrations.
Match Officials at Gunjur vs Serekunda Central game
The celebrations were halted eight minutes later, with a hand-under-cheek moment for the Gunjur fans, when the brilliant playmaker, Adama Bangura went down injured for the second time in the game, following a terrible tackle from substitute, Muhammed Njai, who just came on moments earlier. It was an anxious wait, but Bangura was later ushered off, to be replaced by Lamin Jallow (Sakho). The fans couldn't have hoped for a better replacement.
A player who never disappoints when needed, and it seemed with him being on the bench was a blessing in disguise, as he seemed to have read the weaknesses of the SK left back, Nguda Saine before coming on. He took no time to torment the hapless fullback, using his pace to beat him at free will, and with five minutes to play, he once again skipped past him to set up Fatty for his and Gunjur's second goal of the evening. The midfielder dubbed Iniesta, collected the ball well from Sakho on the right hand side, with good control skills, before getting into the SK penalty area to fire into the left corner of Ebrima Jawo's net, to make it two for himself and Gunjur. Two minutes later Jallow made a similar move from the same area to strike home the third for Gunjur from a very tight angle. Securing the whole three points for Gunjur. Which got the Central fans reach for the exit doors, a move that spurred the travelling Gunjur fans into chants and choruses. "Fi mo genna nekh, borr bii," they chanted. Meaning: this is the nicer area, this side!
Fans at the Gunjur vs Serekunda Central Super Nawettan game
That was a magical moment from the supporters and probably the best part of the night. Credit to them, the Gunjur fans, they got nothing more than they deserved, as they drummed, chanted and danced all evening. In fact at one point the GFF President, Lamin Kabba Bajo was so impressed, he walked over to hand them some cash. He later posted a video of the brilliant singing and dancing on his Facebook page, captioning "Happening now at Manjai Mini Stadium - SK Central vs Gunjur." Despite the goals coming in the latter stages of the game, Gunjur's dominance was evident from the onset, and it was no surprise when the Serekunda boys yielded-in under sustained pressure in game which was remarkably one sided for the most part of it, certainly a clear vindication for the score margin. Which also left very little doubt that the more superior side had triumphed. But despite being destroyed in the end by their opponents, Central still left the Manjai Park crying foul, as their beleaguered coach revealed his disappointment in Gunjur's opening goal, which he claimed they should have had a 'foul' before the goal which paved the way to their downfall. Next up for Gunjur is Lamin at the Box Bar Mini Stadium in Brikama.