Ports Authority battling to avoid relegation

Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Each year as the football season dwindles, as winners coast home, the media endeavor to stir up excitement over the heroic relegation battles taking place at the bottom-rock.

With just two matches of the season remaining, three clubs are jostling to avoid finishing bottom of the GFA division one league table. Interior, Bakau United and Ports Authority all face a nervous run-in. And as it stands, Interior are most in danger of becoming the first club to be relegated on two occasions after banging another nail into their own coffin at the Serrekunda West Mini-stadium, on Saturday.

And with Bakau United fetching a vital three points against Wallidan, on Sunday, the FA Cup title holders, Gambia Ports Authority, and their supporters had better start to get used to the idea that next season will see the club playing in the second division league, should they fail to garner the maximum points against Steve Biko, today, at the Independence Stadium.

Winning only two matches in nineteen fixtures, the Super Cup champions are only one point better of Interior at the red zone. For them to avoid their first-ever relegation since 1973, Ports Authority must now win their remaining matches against Steve Biko, Armed Forces and Gamtel and hope that Bakau United matches go their way.

The 1973, 1982, 1984, 1999 and 2006 league winners started off their campaign on a bright note after beating Real de Banjul in the Super Cup final.

However, as the league season grows older, the Ferry Boys started to struggle - a poor run of form that forced the club management to show coach Ebrima Joof (Luke) the exit door after only few months into his three-year contract. Despite the appointment of former team manager, Modou Lamin Fofana, as the caretaker coach, there was hardly any sign of improvement.

Author: by Nanama Keita