Gambia Ports Authority came from behind to beat Bakau United 5-4 in a post-match spot-kick yesterday at the Independence Stadium to progress to the quarter-final stages of the Gamtel sponsored FA Cup championships.

The hard-fought victory kept alive the relegated Ports Authority’s hope of defending the title that is currently under their belt.

Ebrima Kinteh fired Bakau United ahead in the 26th minute only for substitute Ebrima Drammeh to convert a stunning free-kick in the 82nd minute to force the tie to penalties.

Steve Biko and Seaview also joined the fray after both sides edged past their opponents in their last night fixtures.

Seaview’s impressive goalkeeper Badou Ceesay saved two penalties to earn his side a 4-3 win against mighty Hawks after a goalless draw in the regulation time at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

Steve Biko emerged a 2-1 winners against Brikama United at the Serrekunda East Mini-stadium.

Round 16 matches will resume today with Wallidan taking on Interior at the Independence Stadium, while SK East United host Gamtel at the East Mini-stadium. In another fixture today, Kaira Silo will square off against Real de Banjul at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

The last set of round 16 matches will be played on Saturday, when Armed Forces take on Samger at the Independence Stadium, while Sait Matty entertain Flaminins at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

The head coach of Liberia’s Lone Star, Aintone Hey, has announced a 17- man provisional squad for their match against Gambia in the penultimate round of qualifying for the combine d FIFA World Cup and CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2010.

The Lone Star will be traveling to Banjul for their fifth round World and African Nations Cup qualifier against the Scorpions on September 6.
According to Liberiasoccer.net, the former Scorpions coach and his squad are expected to commence training on Friday, August 22, ahead of what it described as a “must win encounter”.

The website reports that Willis Farko and David Gbemie, who ply their trade in Norway and England respectively are new additions to the list of players invited by the German coach.

Missing from the list is the attacking midfielder Ansu Toure and Alex Nimely who also ply his career with English outfit Manchester City.
With the status of Lone Star Skipper and central defender Murphy Nagbe is still uncertain, it seems that the coach is settling for a perfect replacement.

 Nagbe recently returned to Dakar to remove the screws inserted in his ankle and begin rehab. His availability is uncertain. What is also uncertain is who will replace him in the backline with Jimmy Dixon.

The surprise addition to the list is the recently retired and newly signed goal keeper for DC United in the United States MLS. Louis Crayton is receiving a call up to help secure this much needed win.

Senegal currently top Group 6 with 8 points from four games, followed by Algeria with 6 points. The Scorpions lie at third place with 5 points after two draws, one win and one defeat. 

All three teams remain in contention for a place in the next qualification phase but Liberia with only 2 points at the bottom and two matches remaining are all but out of the race.

The Gamtel sponsored FA Cup Championship will enter its third round stages today with three thrilling encounters at hand.

The defending champions, Gambia Ports Authority, who mauled Tallinding United 4-1 in the second round fixture will square off against Bakau United today at the Independence Stadium.

At the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium, Hawks United will battle it out with Sea View. Brikama United who beat Young African 5-1 to progress to the third round stage will take on Steve Biko at the Serrekunda East Mini-stadium.

On Friday, August 21, Wallidan will face Interior at the Independence Stadium, while SK East United host Gamtel. On the same day, Kaira Silo will face Real de Banjul at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

The last set of third round matches will be played on Saturday, August 22, with Armed Forces taking on Samger at the Independence Stadium, while Sait Matty entertain Flaminins at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

Future Youths beat City Basarr 2-1 in the opening match of the Old Jeshwang  nawettan football tournament on Tuesday.
Two second-half goals from Lorence Mendy and Saiko Jallow  condemned City Basarr to defeat in the grand opening match that was graced by scores of dignitaries.

The competition which received the blessings of both Seedy Kinteh and OB Conateh, the president and honourary life president of the Gambia Football Association respectively, gathers 16 teams within the Old Jeshwang zone.

Ebrima Gassama, head of the organising committee told Observer Sports Old Jeshwang had played nawettan tournaments in previous years, but was quick to add that this year’s tourney is the best in terms of proper organisation.

Gassama hailed Alhaji OB Conateh, the founding father of Wallidan Football Club, for sponsoring the competition that will help regroup the promising talents of Old Jeshwang.

“We are very grateful to OB Conateh who has pledged to provide prizes for the winner and the two runners up,” he said.

The honourary life president of the Gambia Football Association who doubles as the founding father of Wallidan Football & Basketball clubs, Alhaji OB Conateh, has donated a cash amount of D5,000 (five thousand dalasis) to the Bakau Zonal Sports Committee.

The donation was in respect of the invitation extended to him by the committee during last weekend’s Super Cup final.

Conateh who also serves as first vice-president of the West African Football Union (WAFU), expressed his delight at the structure of the interim committee, noting that his doors are open to  the committee at anytime.

A brief “thank you” statement issued by the Bakau Sports Committee said: “The kind and timely gesture did not come as a surprise to us knowing the passion OB Conateh has for Gambian sports.

The donation could not have come at a better time, more especially when (the committee) is facing severe financial constraints. While we thank OB Conateh, we hope that other stakeholders will emulate his benevolent gesture.”

English League One side, Tranmere Rovers, got their season up and running with a 1-0 home victory over Hartlepool United at Prenton Park on Saturday.

Craig Curran netted the winner midway through the first half and Tranmere kept their first clean sheet with Edrissa Sonko playing a pivotal role in the first win of the season.

The Gambian wizard-winger had a great pre-season and must have been miffed at missing out on the first selection of the campaign but he has grasped his opportunity with both hands and looks certain to be a key player this season. Sonko had the first shot of the game with a 25 yard strike which forced visiting keeper Arran Lee Barratt into a save.

The sprightly winger looked lively as Rovers made a positive start to the game with O'Callaghan also forcing Lee Barratt into a save after breaking free from midfield. Tranmere had started to dominate the game and the pressure told as Curran swept home after more good work from Sonko.

The young striker finished smartly from outside the box with a low shot into the left corner for his first goal of the season. The second half was barely a minute old when Sonko’s pace saw him get on the end of a cross but he was unable to force it past Lee Barratt who smothered the chance. 

As Rovers continued to dominate O'Callaghan blasted over before Curran thought he had his second of the game. Rovers number 25 converted a tremendous Taylor cross only to see his effort chalked off as the linesman had his flag up. 

The ever-lively Sonko raced 60 yards after combining with O'Callaghan to unleash a stinging shot which forced Lee-Barratt into another good save.

The Gamtel sponsored FA Cup Championship will enter its third round stages on Thursday, August 21, after fiercely contested second round matches last week.

The defending champions, Gambia Ports Authority’s reward for upsetting Tallinding United in the second round fixture is a  last 16 clash against Bakau United on Thursday at the Independence Stadium. On the same day, Hawks United will meet Sea View at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

Steve Biko are billed to take on the winner in the Brikama United - Young African match which was in progress at the time of going to press last evening.

On Friday, August 21, Wallidan will face Interior at the Independence Stadium, while SK East United host Gamtel. On the same day, Kaira Silo and Real de Banjul will battle it out at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

The last set of matches will be played on Saturday, August 22, when Armed Forces take on Samger at the Independence Stadium, while Sait Matty entertain Flaminins at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium.

Gambia and SK Lierse embattled striker, Assan Jatta, commonly known as Bierhoff, has left American First Division side, FC Dallas, after a ten-day unsuccessful trial.

The MLS giants have passed up the chance to sign the 24-year-old forward after his failure to impress in the eyes of the club’s coaching staff.

“Assan Jatta’s trial was unsuccessful and he’s gone,” a terse statement posted on the club’s website revealed.

Assan Jatta joined  Belgium side, SK Lierse, in 2007 alongside his comrade Mustapha Jarju from Steve Biko. But the athletic striker’s failure to adapt to life at SK Lierse saw him spend the better part of his two-year contract with another second division side, K.F.C. Verbroedering Geel

With his one-year loan spell with Geel expiring last season, it seems SK Lierse are in no mood to keep the injury-plagued forward who has 12 caps to his name.

After Friday’s Super Cup final which saw Daru Gift thrash Berewuleng in a post-match spot-kick to lift the title, the Brikama nawettan proper started on Saturday with Nema United locking horns with Super Eagles on a waterlogged pitch.

After a goalless scoreline in the first 45 minutes, the game was discontinued as the ball became a canoe on the Canaan river.

On Sunday, ten-man Africell Kitty came from behind to hold Real Sira’s to a 1-1 draw. Real Sira’s, who fielded in first and second division players like Real de Banjul’s duo Muhamed Konateh and Abdourahman Conateh and Brikama United’s Malang Ida Bojang as opposed to the youthful but fancied Africell Kitty side, registered their firstgoal just 15 minutes into the game when Ba Saikou Jawneh’s right-footed cross found team-mate Musa Colley on the right spot and he tapped in the opener.

Real Sira’s fans invaded the pitch in jubilation urging the village boys of Africell Kitty to look for a better network or learn how to play against elderly and more seasoned players.

Minutes after Real Sira’s unabated celebration the whole pitch came to a standstill with Africell Kitty’s Lamin Touray’s 24 minute bolt which took the score to 1-1.

No more goals were to be seen but Real Sira’s Abdourahman Conateh, Muhamed Konteh and Malang Ida Bojang continued to impress with the later’s 75th minute move making Kitty fans and officials nervous.

The village boys of Kitty were happy to go home with a point against a side composed of former national team players as opposed to their youthful side of teenagers.

Meanwhile matches will resume today when Orlando meet Shell whilst Kassa Kunda lock horns with Jarju’s FC on Wednesday.

Wallidan pacy striker, Sainey Touray, commonly known as Ballack, is currently on trial with America’s MLS giants, New York Red Bulls, Observer Sports can reveal.

The 18-year former Under 17 hitman has been very impressive with the New York club for the past week, though Juan Carlos Osorio, Red Bulls coach, believes he is clearly not the answer to their immediate forward woes.

“I think Sainey Touray has the tools, but I think he is raw. He needs to train more and if he stays with us I think we can develop him. But he certainly needs to work in certain areas,’’ Osorio told the club’s website.

Comparing the trialist to his fellow countryman, Sanna Nyassi of New  England Revolutions, Osoria said: “Sanna is probably quicker than he is, but he is a good player and he has done good things. I will not say that he is the solution to what we are looking for. Good player, good player, good technique, good touch. He seems to be a good kid.’’

Sainey Touray earned the Golden Boot as the Gambian U-17 team won the Ivorian four-nation football tournament last year, and he has been playing for the Under-20 this year in the CAF Youth Championship play-offs.

On the pro level, after being invited on a trial with Arsenal, he led Wallidan to the 2008 Gambian league title and was the club’s top scorer.