A penalty miss by defender Fabakary Touray and Ousman Jabang proved costly as Red Star FC Clinched the pending Gunjur "nawettan" Super Cup. The outcome of the match was just about right. A high pressing game was topped off by a shoot-out contest in which Reliance FC's Fabakary Touray and Ousman Jabang were the only men to miss their spot-kicks. Touray chipped his shot over the post while Jabang was denied by the goalkeeper. The champions Reliance and cup winners Red Star played a goalless stalemate in front of a massive crowd that included a lot of dignitaries and staff of the two sponsors (Green Vision International Estate Agency and Golden Lead Fish Meal Company) of this years Gunjur Nawettan. Entirely it wasn't a bad game, but it failed to meet the expectations of the crowd at Nyamina Arena. The less clear cut chances created, proved that the game was more of a defensive tactical approach by both managers, Balla Jatta of Reliance and Bubacarr Bojang of Red Star.
Reliance FC
Reliance had struggled to put their game together and their sole dangerous early opening which was their only decent chance throughout the evening, was carved out by Fabakary Touray who almost ran into celebrations when Red Star custodian Lamin Jatta parried his well taken freekick around a post after just 8 minutes.
Dignitaries at the Super Cup finals
Minutes later Reliance lost midfielder Mustapha Njie to injury, his replacement Ousman Jabang put some grit into Reliance. He and his midfield partner Sanna Jallow worked hard to retrieve the ball when they lost possession but, they found it hard to create opportunities which left striker Lamin Touray isolated in attack for most part of the game as creativity was lacking from Reliance. On the other hand Red Star were the side who possed the ball more, they pressed the ball brilliantly, denying Reliance the space they so ruthlessly exploited against Gamrock FC. It was a simple Red Star game plan, brilliantly orchestrated by Fasanna Barrow and enthusiastically excuted by his team mates notably fellow midfielder, team captain Salifu Bojang and Dodou Sambou. Red Star did not pose much threat, though they had their moments in the first half when right back Sulayman Darboe put striker Saikou Chorr through on goal, which left Red Star fans in a jubilant mode roaring "goal, goal, goal". However, Reliance shot-stopper Yunus Jatta reacted quickly to ran out to the edge of the box where he closed down Saikou Chorr and save his low drive with an out stretched leg. The ensuing ball fell to the path of Sulayman Jammeh who quickly reload the ball back into the Reliance goal area with the keeper already out of his line, Saikou Chorr slide and slightly touch the ball toward the goal line but, a Reliance defender did well to clear the ball before it crosses the line. The entire second half was played without either side creating a clear cut opportunity. If there was anything the crowd at Nyamina enjoyed in the second period, it was the individual performances of the players, the ball to ball commentary by Lamin Darbo and Famara Badjie through the public address system plus the perfect ambience from the supporters of the two sides. The contest was was decided by penalty shoot out following a stalemate in regulation time. Keeper Samsideen Bojang who replaced Lamin Jatta in stoppage time became the hero as he saved Ousman Jabang's shot to hand Red star a 4 - 2 triumph.
Abdoulie S.O Jammeh receiving the runners-up prize
Red Star went home with a trophy and cash prize of D9,000. While Reliance received a consolation prize of D6,000. The pre and post match controversy that surrounds the game was the involvement of Red Stars Fasanna Barrow who was shown a red card coming into yesterday's game. If the constitutions of Gunjur Sports Committee (GSC) is anything to go by, Fasanna could not have played the game. However, clarifying the issue surrounding the qualification or lack of the player concerned, Lamin N. Darbo president of GSC said all the top sport administrators he consulted told him that the player is qualified to play since this game is a super Cup game that supposed to have been played before the commencement of the league, but postpone to yesterday. Darbo stated that the player will serve his suspension in his side's remaining two league matches.