By Sulayman Bah
The Scorpions did not sting but grabbed a hard fought point that gave
credit to Savoy’s outfit. Foroyaa Sport makes a lowdown and rate how
each player performed out of a grading of ten.
Goalkeeper Alagie Modou Jobe: Senegal-based Modou Jobe had to contend
with being a surrogate under Pa Dembo Touray all the time he gets acall-up to the national team. But ‘Njoba’ –his nickname –has been
repaid for his patience and is the most experienced bloke out of the
three serving Scorpion goalies. Aided by Dembo’s premature retirement
from internationals, Alagie got a start in the line up and did not
fluff. 3-0 would have been the score against Gambia had it not been
for his heroic performance. He left South Africa’s Ntshangase frustrated during
the full 90. Had an action-packed night than his opposing number.
8/10.
Pa Modou Jagne: The versatile Sion FC stopper was a mammoth presence
in the left side of the defence. His work rate is unquestionable. The
26-year-old was however caught few times by the South Africa winger’s
pace. Had a single overlap and spent the majority of the game
executing defence duties to perfection. 7/10.
Abdou Jammeh: The newfound captain in the absence of Mustapha Jarju,
T.Boy, helped in smoking out the onslaughts and thus keeping a clean
sheet from a too-attack oriented Banfana Bafana front line. Like Pa
Modou and rest of the defence, he too had a busy day in office. 7/10.
Omar Colley: Was focused and read the game well with timely
interceptions. Proved to be a reliable cog in Gambia’s defence
department. 7/10.
Ousman Koli: A late inclusion into the team. Comfortable as left-back,
central defender or a defensive midfielder, the Bakau-born trading in
the Maltese Premier League put out a performance. Penetrated few
times, he managed to escape booking from the referee when he charged
his leg at a high flying Bafana Bafana attacker. Otherwise was
composed.6/10.
Ebrima Sohna: Not your usual technical midfielder but was one of the
most hardworking of Raoul Savoy’s team. Overlooked to start in the
midfield with Tijan Jaiteh favoured, Sohna spent in the majority
of Gambia’s last campaign as a defender. Withstood incessant pressure and
breaking off the hosts’ attacks. Ran out of steam in the final minutes
though 8/10.
Sulayman Marreh: Able to feature as an attacking or defensive
midfielder, the Granada ace never ceases to be the squad’s sensation.
He was limited to defending partnering Sohna. The 20-year-old was
Gambia’s man-of-the-match. 8 and half /10
Demba Savage: By far the most successful Gambian export in Finland,
the HJK striker featured in front of a Marreh-Sohna midfield pairing
instead of being a flanker. Did not shine as expected and was
understandably hauled off in the second-half. 4/10.
Sanna Nyassi: He was expected to provide pace down the wings with
Barrow but for Gambia’s defensive play he was forced to retreat to
defending and pouncing on the counter. Kept too much of the ball and
delayed a pass when Dibba was unmarked and demanding. Otherwise did a
good deal of help to the midfield in marking. 7/10.
Modou Barrow: had limited passes but showing some flashes of pace.
He could have earned Gambia a penalty when his shot from the box appeared
to have been handled by South Africa’s defence. But the referee from
Madagascar was uninterested and waived play-on. He was the team star
player. For Lack of creativity in midfield, he fell back to defend
counting on his pace. Did not disappoint on his debut 7 and half/10.
Pa Amat Dibba: He could not replicate his club scoring form on
Saturday but showed lot of promises. Had a goal at his mercy but chose
to connect to a team-mate. Since then did not see much of the ball. 5
and half /10.
Abdoulie Mansally: Was thrown into the fray but made little impact.5/10.
Hamza Barry: Got little time to impress.4/10.
Assan Ceesay: Failed to control well with ball at his feet and give it
away more: 3/10.]]>
