BOTTROP DOMINANCE IN SCHOOL SPORTS CONTINUES

Having won the national inter schools athletic championship for two consecutive seasons, Bottrop Technical Senior Secondary School once again proved too strong for schools in the Gambia as their male team spanked Bakoteh Upper and Senior School to clinched the national inter schools football competition known as the “Principal cup”.

Bottrop school team, receiving winners prize

The two school played an entertaining game at the Independence stadium, but the end was all for Bottrop as they triumph 3 – 1 to scooped the third edition.

It only took Bottrop 3minutes to be on the ascendency as Abdoulie Manneh rose high to nod home from close range following a cross from the left wing.

In response Bakoteh starts to show some urgency as they poured forward, in so doing misses possible equalizing chances as Yankuba Minteh crash a free-kick against the frame before the keeper palm over the follow up header and midfielder Ousman Singhateh tap wide in front of the post before Omar Kassama flashes a shot wide.

Bakoteh’s focus on attack, in search of an equalizer, made their defense look disorganized as Bottrop exploited the gaps. Bakoteh keeper Alagie Loum then denied Abdoulie Manneh a second as he saved well in a one-on-one situation, but a moment later he could not do enough to prevent the striker from netting a brace as Manneh tap in from an inch out following another set-piece delivery.

The 2 nil Bottrop lead left Bakoteh supporters in total doubt of a positive outcome as they started to look desperate.

Runners-up Bakoteh

However, Yankuba Minteh curled in a sublime left-foot free kick from 20yards out to restore some confidence as the nervous looking Bakoteh supporters busted into celebrations just before the break.

The second period was more of a cautious defensive outlook display by both sides as Bottrop tried to sit on their lead, while Bakoteh were avoiding to repeat the defensive errors they made in the first period.

But no matter what Bakoteh could not stop Bottrop from adding a third as captain Modou Touray controls well with his thigh inside the penalty area before hitting low into the net to complete the victory for the Brikama based school.

Speaking after the game the coach for Bakoteh Yusupha Jarju said he is not disappointed with the defeat as he is hopeful that his young team could win the next edition. While for the Bottrop gaffer Fakebba Saine, the triumph is no surprise to him as he rates his side as the “best”.

In the female final Gambia Senior School defeated Bottrop females with a solitary goal scored by Kumba Kuyateh.

Gambia Senior School captain receiving the prize

As winners Bottrop were decorated and handed a cheque of 75, 000 dalasis, while second place Bakoteh received D50, 000 and third place Nasiir senior school has D20, 000.

Female champions Gambia Senior school were as well given winners prize of a trophy, medals and cheque of D75, 000, and runners Bottrop girls goes away with D50, 000 and third place Mingdaw Senior secondary got D20, 000.

Bottrop Senior secondary and Gambia Senior secondary school who both qualified for the first time are the new champions of the 2018 principal cup tournament at male and female category.