By Arfang M.S. Camara
Yankuba Manneh, head coach of Elite United is aiming to capitalize on the current transfer window to strengthen his team to maintain their position in the league.
Coach Manneh was speaking on Saturday, after Elite United were defeated 2-1 by Hawks during their week-15 fixtures played at the Stadium.
Lamin Jarju opened the score-line for Hawks FC in the 43rd minute while Lamin Jammeh leveled for Elite United in the 57th minute.
Abdourahman Jobe gave Hawks FC all three points after scoring a remarkable free-kick in the 87th minute.
“What is happening to us is just a situation that we found ourselves in, but again it is us who are in the struggling position right now. It is us again who can stabilize this situation we found out ourselves in,” Coach Yankuba Manneh further said.
According to him, they intend to use the current transfer window to strengthen their squad, adding that they are in this situation after losing some of their top players last season.
“We need to improve our midfield and the offensive area,” said the coach of the Academy boys.
Elite United currently sit at the rock bottom (16th) position in the league with 10 points after 15 matches and coach Manneh said their ultimate aim is to avoid relegation and stay in the league.
Alieu Jagne, head coach of Hawks FC expressed delight for collecting the maximum points against Elite United, noting that ending the first round in third position is a very good result for them.
“If we do not drop some points along the way we could have been at the top right now but this is football. We would go back and adjust ourselves and try to maintain our position,” he said.
Coach Jagne whose team currently sit 3rd position with 26 points after 15 games, said they are not expecting any players coming in during the transfer window.
Elsewhere, Brikama United beat defending champions, Fortune FC 2-0 in the earlier game played on Saturday at the stadium.
Sory Bangura opened the scoring for Brikama United after converting from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, before Habibou Mendy doubled their lead in the 90th minute of the game.
The Sateba Boys, now collected their seventh win of the season, while the Petroleum boys, suffered their seventh defeat of the season.
The victory moved Brikama Unite to 2nd position with 28 points, two points behind Real de Banjul, while Fortune dropped to 11th position with 18 points.
Meanwhile, at the time of going to press yesterday, Monday, The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) were playing Samger at 9pm, before Wallidan was taking on The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) at 11pm.
