SHOCK FOR GRTS IN OPENING GAME

The state media, Gambia radio and television services opened their campaign of the Gambia press union media football tournament with a narrow 1 - 0 lost to Foroyaa newspaper.

GRTS TEAM

Captain Ansumana Barrow scored the only goal that left the entire state media team shock at the Independence Stadium.

Coming into the game optimism was very high among the camp of the leaders in broadcasting GRTS, and it appears they were complacent against the print media sides.

The way GRTS started, indicates they were no match to Foroyaa in terms of talent and technique.

It doesn't take them long to prove their attacking ambitions. From Dembo Manneh’s clever pass, Sheriffo Darbo missed what was going to be the opening goal as he hit straight at the chest of the goalkeeper.

State media continue to dominate the game and came close again as Sheriffo Darbo was denied by the goalkeeper again from close range.

With GRTS not been able to break down a resilient Foroyaa defence from close range, they switch to trying their luck from outside the box with Abdoulie Jobe testing the Foroyaa goalkeeper with a long-range strike which was saved well.

The print media men who have been under pressure throughout had a little section of supporters keeping them motivated all along and they continue to show tactical maturity.

FOROYAA TEAM

It doesn't take much longer in the second half for Foroyaa to send their supporters into euphoria when they produced a shocker.

They broke the deadlock with their only attempt in the entire game as captain Ansumana Barrow strike home from close range and the fans jump into celebrations.

Knowing well that their pride and reputations are at stake, GRTS technical team responded with three straight substitutions with Talibo Gibba, Ebrima Jallow and Famara Badjie coming on for a rescue mission, but it was mission impossible.

Even though the substitutions added more weight to the attack of GRTS as Famara Badjie was brought down around the 18yard area and Dembo Manneh stroke the woodwork with the resulting free kick.

In the closing stages Famara Badjie had a potential equalizing strike blocked by a Foroyaa defender. And a moment of relief soon arrived for the newspaper men as they sealed a shocking, but deserved one nil win over GRTS.

Sam Sarr the Foroyaa team manager, said he is satisfied with the result and the initiative of the Gambia press union organizing a football tournament between the media institutions in the country. Which he said 'will encourage understanding and bring unity among the journalists in the country'.

While Sulayman Sanyang the coach of GRTS said he is disappointed to lose the game after dominating the entire game, but promises to return much stronger against Star FM.

This football tournament is organized by the Gambia press union in collaboration with the sports journalist’s association of the.

The tournament is competed by seven media house within the greater Banjul area. Matches will continue on Friday with The Voice taking on Paradise at 9:00AM and Foroyaa vs Star FM at 11:00AM.