The Gambia’s sole export in the Russian First Division League, Abdou Jammeh, and his Torpedo Moscow side are fighting in tooth-and-nail to avoid relegation, half-way into the league season.

Torpedo drew 1-1 with one of league contenders, FC Novosibirsk yesterday, to move 19th place in the 22-team league table.

Despite being at the bottom rock, defender Abdou Jammeh is hopeful that his team, who are regular participants in the UEFA Cup competition, will avoid relegation.

“We are currently struggling to stay at the first division and hopefully we will stay.”

“The second round has just started and we have over 20 matches to go. So we still have ample time to amend the situation,” former Steve Biko, FC Zarzis and FC Textile Telecom defender told Observer Sports yesterday.

Jammeh, a regular starter in the Scorpions’ line up, joined Torpedo Moscow at the start of the season from the Russian giants FC Textile Telecom.

He went on to earn his Torpedo debut on March 27, and since then, the 22-year-old defender has established himself as the rock at the heart of Torpedo defence.