(Monday 24th August 2009 issue)

The Gambia National U-17 team yesterday morning at 11.45am returned home from Nigeria where they took part in a six-day football academy tournament, organised by Pepsi Academy which wrapped up last Friday.

The team that left Banjul last week were crowned the champions after thumping Liberty Professionals of Ghana thanks to Buba Melez Jallow’s only goal of the game.

The tournament which is meant to prepare the U-17 team much better ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the GFA President believed, will go a very long way in trying to reinforce the team so as to make an impact in the world’s most prestigious youth championship.

The Gambia’s team that proved unbeaten started the tournament with victories against the Gateway Academy of Nigeria, whom they thrashed 3-0 with a braced from Buba Jallow, who have already established himself in the team.

The team’ only unimpressive game in the tournament came during their hard-fought goaless draw against Johnson Academy of Sierra Leone.

They went ahead to thrashed the host Pepsi Academy 5-1, which earned the two times African Champions a place in the semi-final before proceeding  to record a narrow one- nil win over Liberty Professional of Ghana, courtesy of a sensational strike by Melez whose outstanding performance earned him the tournament’s leading goal-scorer after netting 6-goals.

The Gambia U-7 team won all the trophies ranging from the Best player of the tournament, the Best Defensive and Offensive team of the tournament among other important awards.

The team is also preparing to host the Nigerian U-17 team in the first week of September, before proceeding to the U.K for a training camp ahead of the World Cup in Nigeria, Seedy Kinteh, the GFA’s supremo told to Pointsport on Sunday.