SUPERIOR TANJI CLINCH KOMBO SOUTH DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN

Tanji Village football team are crowned champions of the 2023 Kombo South District football competition after showing a superior performance that earned them a 2 – 0 win over Berending Village in the final.

 

The two faced off at the Sanyang football field in a tie expected to be a crunch encounter but ended up being a one-sided affair as Tanji showed a master-class performance that left Berending in bewilderment all through the evening.

 

And goals from Dawda Kujabi and Abdoulie Dibba capped off what has been a great competition for the energetic and free-wheeling Tanjie side that merited what they got judging by the displays.

 

The score was enough to earn Tanji the crown and the winner’s prize money of D45,000, while the disappointed Berending were handed a consolation of D35,000.

 

SUPERIOR TANJI UNMATCHED

 

At a jam-packed Sanyang arena, Tanji were simply unmatched both technically and tactically. They showed the difference in quality within the opening proceedings when they put Berending on the receiving end of constant pressure.

 

That was coupled with a series of threats as Tanji came close and missed chances that really should have been goals for them.

 

The closest came when Abdoulie Dibba effortlessly skipped inside two Berending defenders and rolled a shot wide with the goal at his mercy. 

 

While Berending were trying to look for means to cope with the pressure, Tanji continued their high-pressing game and finally got the goal that initially appeared elusive, as Dawda Kijabi slotted home from close range for the breakthrough in the stoppages going into the break.

 

That was an assailable score line and one would have expected Berending to return from the intervals with some purpose after the halftime team talks. They did not show any conviction, and Tanji continued to dominate.

 

It did not take long for a second goal to duly arrive for Tanji. They launched an attack with quick exchanges that left Berending’s defence in confusion before their unstoppable Abdoulie Dibba made it two-nil in the 50th minute with a fine poke that beat the rushing Berending’s keeper.

 

Berending had shown some glimpses of individual brilliance, but collectively, they could not find the means to contain a Tanji side that even deserved a far more convincing victory as they missed chances that should have made the score even more embarrassing.

 

Tanji were technically and tactically too good for Berending who might consider themselves unlucky, but realistically, Tanji were simply irresistible in an evening meant to crown a new champion in Kombo South.

 

Becoming a champion will require performing a little better than the defending champions, Tanji who knocked out the defending champions Gunjur in the semi-finals, are the new champions of Kombo South.

 

If there was anywhere Berending truly dominated Tanji, was on the sideline, where their vocal supporters dressed in traditional attires with beads tied around their waist and across the chest, roared from start to finish.

 

Should there be any award for the supporters, without doubt, Berending supporters with their melodious Jola songs and dancing, would have deservedly carried it home.

 

But their efforts were not complemented by their players who showed a lacklustre performance all through.