By:Omar Jatta
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) were at the receiving end of yet another humiliating defeat to Zambian side Zanaco FC last Saturday in the return leg of their CAF 2018 Preliminary qualifiers.
The soldiers, who suffered a 3 – 0 rout in Lusaka a fortnight ago, suffered an almost similar defeat at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, where they were thumped 3-1 to send them packing out the competition. And the Sunset side advanced to the final knockout round with a 6-1 aggregate score.
Goals from Ernest Mbewe, Martin Phiri, who scored a brace in the first leg in Lusaka and George Chilfuya secured the victory for the visitors. Lamin Sanneh scored a consolation for the Khaki boys.
The Zambian’s took the lead in the 17th minute through Mbewe, but Sanneh’s 40th minute equaliser gave little hope for the host to take into thehalf-time break.
The solders did enough for the large part of the game to at least deserve a share of the spoils, having kept their tormentors at bay, with game tied at 1-1. But unfortunately their tormentor in Chief, Phiri stroke again in the 84th minute to give the visitors a 2-1 lead with six minutes to play. That was enough time for George Chilfuya to wrap things up in 89th minute, giving Zanaco a 6 goal aggregate scoreline.
The defeat means both Gambian sides, GAF and Hawks FC, who were defeated 2-0 by Nigerian side, Akwa United last Wednesday to overturn the 2-1 away victory they secured in Uyo, Nigeria, have all bowed out of this year’s competition.
