By Sulayman Bah
All roads lead to the Brikama’s much heralded Boxbar mini-stadium as
Gambia’s Real de Banjul aims a dagger at visiting Algerian side Estante Sportive Setif tomorrow.
Much has been said about this game. Not that it’s a meeting of top guns but one of intriguing fixture featuring the known and feared against the Gambian champions who could best be described minnows in the face of the North African club’s exploits.
However, it was the same minnows of a side who last week had tongues wagging when they dumped Liberia’s domestic league kings Barrack Young Controllers out of the Champions League effectively taking advantage of suggestions to play an away match at home.
A slender lone goal sent nestling to the back of the net by a Yankuba
Jarju’s clattered effort wasn’t only decisive but renewed hopes of
Gambian fans making club hierarchy dare to believe.
But after such a feat, can Real de Banjul bolstered by the numerous
signings, soil African club champions ESS’s title defending campaign
by daring to pull off a shocker when the Algerians hit the Brikama
mini-stadium?
A cash-stabled club with a huge experience in the competition ESS
won’t allow to be walked over by their hosts, a thing many agree to.
But there’re still –also in the majority – a number of supporters of
the strong conviction that Real for all their free flowing football
can defy the odds. One thing though is clear, that won’t come without
toiling.
Already the battle lines have been drawn after decision to switch the
match venue to Brikama – a ground known to court a plethora of
football-struck enthusiasts to the brim.
Last week Saturday’s game was witnessed by a paltry turn out at the
Banjul KG5, and when the going gets tougher, Real could expect to be
cheered by the massive crowd that would flock to Brikama.]]>
