The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) FC have been crowned champions of the Gambian second division league in a colourful ceremony presided over by GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo at the Serekunda East Mini Stadium.
At the same time, Colley Stars FC and RS Tallinding FC joined Samger FC in securing a place in the promotion to the first place playoff. The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) FC, who finished third from bottom in the top flight league, will join the trio in the playoffs to determine where they’ll play football next season.
GPA’s talismanic striker Omar Johm scored a brace to overcome a stubborn Suwo Kono FC in a 2-1 comeback win after Lamin Yarboe had earlier put Suwo Kono in front in the 40th minute.
As champions, the Ferry Boys were decorated with a giant trophy, gold medals, as well as a cheque for D500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Dalasis).
Medina United finished second place and had a consolation price of D250,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Dalasis), while Samger that finished third received D150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dalasis).
Meanwhile, Colley Stars and RS Tallinding both needed last minute goals to beat Serekunda United and Kanifing East, respectively, as the two sides take the final two playoff spots. RS Tallinding FC needed Sheikh Tijan Conteh’s 90th minute goal to claim a narrow 1-0 victory over Kanifing East FC at the Bakau Mini Stadium while Colley Stars had to be rescued by Ousman Ceesay deep into added on time to claim a 2-1 comeback victory over Serekunda United.
Elsewhere, Elite United’s chances of a playoff spot were crashed by narrow 1-0 defeat to Baalor Sarr FC. Elite needed just a point to get a playoff with a superior goal difference to Colley Stars and RS Tallinding FC.
In other matches, Gunjur United made sure of their second division status with a 3-1 victory over Wagadu FC at the Nyamina Football Field in Gunjur, while Unique Global hammered Wallidan 4-1 at the Ousman Saho Football Field in Yundum to finish four points ahead of Kanifing United who will now play a relegation/promotion playoff with regional champions of West Coast, Kanifing and Banjul to ensure their status in the second tier for next season.
