Brikama began their campaign in the best of fashions when they battered the defending champions Gunjur 3 - 0 in the Super Cup final, to send a strong statement of intent, and proved their status as realistic title contenders.They built on that success to reach the finals unbeaten but were left in shock by a resurgent Sanyang side who rejoiced after clinching the title with a 3 - 2 victory on penalties after a 2 - 2 draw in regulation time.Playing in front of a frenzied home crowd at the Boxbar Mini-stadium, Brikama had all the advantage and had no point of excuse. One would have expected Sanyang to play with enviousness, but the visitors show no sign of panic from start to finish.‘I told my players that Boxbar is like a neutral ground’ Seedia Bojang the Sanyang coach said, and that statement was clearly justified by the aggression and bravery shown by the visitors who could have been two goals up if not for the heroism of the Brikama goalkeeper Ebrima Fadera, who saved two goal bound attempts from Lamin Tamba and Modou Lamin Marong.Ironically, the hosts who were largely under pressure broke the deadlock at the stroke of halftime when Babucarr Sallah orchestrated a simple counter-attack down the right before whipping in a cross that was side-footed into the net by the unmarked Modou Lamin Ndow for a Brikama breakthrough.Even after the halftime team talks, Brikama were still not able to establish what they needed to do to stop the free-flowing and attack-minded Sanyang side, and it could have been 1 – 1 if not for the brilliant save from Ebrima Fadera who tipped over a powerful drive.But in the 51st minute, Fadera was not able to find his magic gloves, as the visitor drew back on level terms when the ever-improving and outstanding Lamin Tamba with his nimble feet and immaculate skills rolled home a close-range attempt to send the visiting supporters into raptures. And, in the 67th minute, Sanyang came close to adding to their lead when Khalipha Darboe had his tame effort beat the rushing goalkeeper but a recovering defender cleared the ball ‘off the line’. Sanyang appealed for a goal but the referee and his assistant ignored the roaring, as there was no VAR to help them review the incident.Sanyang were then punished for that miss, as Brikama made it 2 – 1 in the 76 minutes when Abdoulie Tamba out-jumped the Sanyang defender to nod home a corner kick.At that moment, Sanyang did not show any sign of despair, they keep attacking Brikama at every presentable chance, and ultimately in the 89th minute, they got rewarded when substitute Abdoulie Sima exploit the gap between two Brikama defenders to glance home last-ditch equalizers which send the game into a penalty shoot-out.During the shootout, Brikama’s goalkeeper Ebrima Fadera saved shots from Ousman Nyang and Muhammed Jallow but that was not enough as both Omar Jarju and Babucarr Sallah of Brikama had their shots rattled the frame before Sanyang’s goalkeeper Sarjo Bah crucially saved Lamin Saho’s shot to earned Sanyang a deserved 3 – 2 win.As champions, Sanyang were rewarded forty-five thousand dalasi, and gold medals, while runners-up Brikama settled for thirty-five thousand dalasi and silver medals.Sanyang would not have been forgiven by their supporters should they lose the final for the second time in a row and that would have been unfair even.But, they put smiles on the faces of their fervent supporters by shocking Brikama in front of their own supporters and make amends for losing the first edition to Gunjur. In the second edition, they are worthy champions, as they clinched the title unbeaten.
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