AJAX F.C DID THE UNTHINKABLE TO CLINCH ACCOLADE IN GUNJUR “NAWETTAN”

Not even the most optimistic of supporters will think a squad dominated by young inexperience players will clinch the most coveted trophy in Gunjur summer football competition (Nawettan) at the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign.

Just two years old in the nawettan Ajax F.C did just that as they defeated FC Bax 1 – 0 in the final of Green Vision International and Golden Lead sponsored Gunjur Nawettan league competition on Saturday at the Nyamina Arena.

The entire Ajax team might be considered a hero’s for achieving such feat but, the name of the giant young midfielder Alieu Sanneh will lingered in memories as he scored the games only goal that sends his side into crazy celebrations and leaves the opponent in despair.

Mighty Ajax F.C

A massive turned out and good displays had left the spectators with the believe that the final had leave up to its billing as one of the most competitive nawettan season produce just a narrow scoreline. The early exit of some big guns notable the mighty Red Star FC, CommIT FC and Santos United had prompted premature obituaries for the heavy-weights but the twist and turns of fate turned up a certainty of a new name on the league cup itself.

However, Ajax made desperately hard work of it. Having gone 800 minute without conceding a goal in regulation time coming into the finals, one would have expected Ajax to keep that spirit alive and they never disappoint.

Despite the early pressure from FC Bax, Ajax looks tactically discipline at the back which provide Bax with plenty of midfield possession where Tijan Jatta proved superior to overshadow the Ajax midfield department. Bax though could not turn their dominance into goals as both striker Sanna Touray and winger Lamin Jallow misses scoring chances.

F.C Bax

After the turn-around it was more of counter attacking football as neither side was willing to err in front of their well decorated fans clubs both of who purchases brand new supporting T-shirts for the final.

Midway through the second period Bax looked sort of stamina and Ajax lit top gear. At that moment, worryingly for Bax, their custodian Saihou Kebbeh had been forced into more stops than his opposite number Dodou Jobe, and Ajax substitute Musa Krubally added more nerves to Bax situation when he struck the post with an angle free-kick.

A goal then arrived moment later after a howler by Bax net minder Saihou Kebbeh, Ajax Alieu Sanneh takes a free-kick from nearly 35yards out, a distance where a goal is highly unlikely but, a goalkeeping error makes it a possibility as Saihou seems certain to make a catch only for the ball to slip between his gloves and hit the back of the net. The mistake is one thing every single spectator at Nyamina arena will forever remember the Bax goalie for.

Moments later the two youngsters that many expects to have been handed a start Bakary Touray and Omar Saine were thrown into the fray by coach Musa Faal for a rescuing mission, then it was only 10minutes left on the clock. Bax did tries a late rally but, even with the magic of their magician Tijan Jatta who was the most impressive player of the evening, a fight back was never a possibility as Ajax tactical discipline once again prove decisive.

So it was, Ajax the deserving champions! They wins it in grand style. Opening their campaign with a 1 – 0 triumph and closing it in the same fashion without a defeat, scoring five goals and not conceding any, is a remarkable achievement anywhere in the world. Delight it was for Omar Jadama’s boys and their fans.

For FC Bax it was yet another disappointment as they suffered a second defeat in a league cup final with the first coming in 2009/10 season when they lost 5 – 4 on penalties to Oxford. It remains to be seen if Bax can assemble a squad that will have the potentials to reach a league cup final.

As champions Ajax went away with a trophy and cash of twenty-thousand dalasis, while for Bax a consolation of fifteen-thousand dalasis was handed to them.

After the turn-around it was more of counter attacking football as neither side was willing to err in front of their well decorated fans clubs both of who purchases brand new supporting T-shirts for the final.