FA Cup final preview

This year's FA Cup final scheduled for Sunday, September 7, at the Independence Stadium, would see current league champions, Wallidan, lock horns with the Academy Boys, Samger, in a contest that will earn the former a double or the later their first-ever silverware in Gambian football.

Skipper George Cole's 67th minute strike was enough to push FA Cup defending champions Ports Authority out of the contest on Wednesday.

GPA had numerous squandered chances even though they dictated the  pace of the game through out the regulation with Gibou Drammeh blowing away a penalty in the 21st minute when Wallidan's Muhammed Davies was adjudged to have handled in the area.
 
The Academy Boys, Samger, won the hearts and respect of many sports enthusiasts with their beautiful skills, techniques and tactics as well as result oriented nature. Their coming into top flight football for the second time since their establishment with the intention of just staying in the league, ended up not just at reaching their goal but saw them just two points adrift of their Sunday FA Cup final opponents Wallidan in this year's keenly contested league.

Samger humbled SK East 2-0 in a derby encounter at SK East Mini-stadium to book a place in the semi finals - thanks to goals from Abdou Badjie and Lamin Samateh.

Samateh was to be thanked yet again for setting up Assan Gassama to head home the only goal against Steve Biko on Wednesday, which earned them a place in their first ever FA Cup final.

Wallidan, who are basking on past glories and banking on experience and a quest for a double, would seek solace on their current form while Samger would learn from the experience of narrowly surrendering the league title and their desire and determination to crown their fanciful football with their first-ever silverware in front of one of their directors, Cherno Samba, who is expected to earn his first cap for the Gambia  when Scorpions take on Lone Stars on Saturday.

It must be said here that Wallidan and Samger may not be with some of their key functionaries but this has not affected both teams in their quest for the title.
Wallidan's goal poacher and season's league top scorer, Sainey Touray, is presently plying his trade with New York Red Bulls after signing a developmental contract with the MLS giants last week, and Pa Modou Ngum who succeeded him in Wallidan front line has failed to make his mark due to injury.

Samger are also without their head coach, Jane Joof, who is on a refresher coaching course in the UK - thanks to the club’s director, Harry Garber, who facilitated his trip.
Strike partners Haruna Jammeh and Buba Jallow will be missing too. Haruna Jammeh is on trial abroad while Buba Jallow's is nursing an injury.