Gambia: Digi Dambi is Banjul League Champion
Nov 20,2006 00:00
by
lamin
Digi Dambi FC, on Saturday defeated their arch rivals, Ngoyan FC to clinch the Banjul nawettan league title, amidst hundred of the football enthusiasts in Banjul.Amat Njie scored the only goal of the match to earn Digi Dambi the coveted title. Saturday's final was however, a fiercely competed one that also showed the Digi Dambi side reduced to 10 men when their goalkeeper, Tijan Taal was sent off the field in the 80th minutes.
The league cup championship being the most precious title in the nawettan season, both sides were determined to snatch the title. But, Ngoyan were made to redouble their efforts when Digi Dambi found the net in the early 10th minutes of play with Amat Njie's weighted finisher. Digi Dambi maintained the lone goal advantage until the expiration of the first 45 minutes.
Fresh from break, Ngoyan FC consolidated their front lines in a bid to cancel out the lone goal deficit. This undoubtedly put more pressure on the leading side, yet the score line remained unchanged. In the 80th minutes, Digi Dambi astonishingly lost their goalkeeper who was shown a red card for infringement. Despite the numeric advantage, Ngoyan could not make any different before the regulation period expired with 1-0 score line unchanged.
As a champions, Digi Dambi received a giant trophy and a cash prize of D15,000 while the runners up, Ngoyan FC consolidated themselves with a cash prize of D10,000. The league tournament was solely sponsored by MSTE Printing and Press.
Speaking to the Observer Sports shortly after the final, Ebou Faye, the Secretary-General of Banjul Sports Committee said in any final match, there must be a winner and a loser, adding that both sides should accept the end result in good faith. Faye described the overall nawettan process as success, thus commended all the teams for their cooperation.
At the time of going to press last night, Macdonald United were entertaining Warriors FC in the Saint Mary's Food & Wine sponsored knock-out final at Banjul mini-stadium.