By Sulayman Bah
A new venue has been named for Real de Banjul’s clash with African
champions Setif.
Banjul mini-stadium was first announced as ground to host the would-be thrilling clash before talks amongst stakeholders resulted to a new venue.The negotiation settled that Brikama’s Boxbar host the CAF match billed
for this Saturday. What requirements were being looked at prompting
the new move is not disclosed by Real de Banjul in its announcement of
the change.
Two legs of the preliminary round qualifier against Liberia’s Barrack
Young Controllers played at the Banjul mini-stadium witnessed a paltry
fan turnout.
BrikamaBoxbar –one of the country’s few standard artificial turfs – is
known to court a large supporter turnout especially Caf championship
games generating revenue via ticket sales.
In a statement issued in the wake of the changes, the club said : ‘The
match will be officiated by Mauritian FIFA referee Ali Lemghaifry and
he will be assisted by his fellow countrymen HamedineDiba and
BoubouCheikhnaDemba and Mohamed Hamada as fourth official. The game
will be commissioned by Salaha Baby from Mali. Tickets for the game
are pegged at D250 for VIP, D50 for sitting, and D25 for the stands
while school children in uniform or with student ID Cards would be
allowed FREE ENTRY.’
RDB who are Gambia’s domestic league champions breezed into the first
round of the qualifiers since 2001 after shrugging off challenge from
Liberian side Barrack Young Controllers on a 2-1 aggregate.
RDB were technically away despite the game being played at the BJL
turf following CAF’s suggestion for the fixture to be staged in Gambia
as a neutral venue on the back of Mali’s refusal to host it in Bamako.
Saturday’s opponent and cash-stabled Setif, were yesterday taking on
JSK Kabily in a cup match fixture, a thing which allows the Algerian
team three-day rest ahead of their match in Banjul.]]>
