By: Kemo Kanyi
The second round of the GFF First Division League, sponsored by Vista Bank-Baluwo, kicked off on Thursday with all three matches ending in 1-1 draws.
At the Box Bar Mini Stadium in Brikama, Fortune came from behind to hold Team Rhino in a repeat of their Week 15 fixture, which had ended 1-0 in favor of the Petroleum Boys. Team Rhino took the lead in the first half when Ferdinand Jatta turned Assan Badjie Jnr’s corner into his own net. Fortune responded in the 70th minute as Fernando Pereira headed in a rebound following Salifu Colley’s exquisite cross to substitute Bangally Manneh in the six-yard box. Goalkeeper Alagie Saho denied Bangally twice but could not stop Pereira’s decisive header.
Meanwhile, at the Ousman Saho Football Field, TMT and league leaders GPA played out another tense 1-1 draw. Debutant Alieu Saine gave TMT an early lead in the first minute, only for Mamadi Chorr to equalize deep into first-half stoppage time. The match saw three players sent off: Molamin Camara and Toney Senghore for TMT, and Ansumana Jawara for GPA.
At the Medina United vs. Hawks clash, Paul Colley once again proved decisive, rescuing a late point for Medina United in stoppage time after Ismaila Jallow had opened the scoring for Hawks. Jallow was later dismissed for a second yellow card.
The league resumes on Friday with five matches across five venues. Steve Biko will seek to overturn a 2-1 defeat to Real De Banjul in Bakau. Greater Tomorrow hosts Falcons at the Live Your Dreams Academy Field in Basori, hoping for a reversal after losing the first leg. Samger faces the Gambian Dutch Lions at the Ousman Saho Football Field in another anticipated rematch. BST Galaxy travel to Soma Mini Stadium to meet Hart, while Brikama United take on Bombada in a Brikama derby at the Box Bar Mini Stadium.
