Gambian champions stun African giants in huge continental upset
By Ebrima KB Sonko
Gambian Champions Fortune FC
Gambian league champions, Fortune Football Club shocked African Football’s established order as they produced a scintillating 3-0 win against 2014 CAF Champions League winners, ES Setif in the first leg of the CAF Champions League Preliminary Qualifiers.
Ebrima Camara scored the opener in the 22nd minute before Patrick Sylva’s screamer from the edge of the 18-yard box saw the hosts double the lead. Gambia U-20 forward Alieu Barry rounded up the scores as the game finished in a rather surprising but emphatic 3-0 score in the 80th minute.
Fortune enjoyed the lion share of possession from the onset at the independence stadium, could have taken the lead much earlier before the 22nd minute when star man, Ebou Sanyang looped the ball over ES Setif’s back line for Ebrima Camara who calmly slotted in the ball sparking wild jubilation from the home supporters.
The experienced Ebrima “Bura” Camara after opening the scores in Bakau
Jane Joof's side continued to dominate after the break, but they failed to turn opportunities into goals. However, Patrick Sylva had other ideas when his teammates couldn’t convert as the Fortune man unleashed a fierce curling shot from distance which went past the ES Setif keeper, Sofiane Khedajrja for a comfortable cushion.
Patrick Sylva - scorer of the strike of the day
Then just as the Algerian league runners up were all out in search for an away goal, two Fortune FC substitutes, Bully Drammeh and Alieu Barry combined to score the third goal from the break. Bully Drammeh played a beautiful one-two with Ebou Sanyang before he squared the ball to Alieu Barry from the far post for a simple tap in.
A night on which ES Setif where thoroughly outclassed from start of the match to the final whistle leaving the former CAF Champions League winners with a potential daunting task to overturn Fortune's comfortable 3-0 advantage despite their hugely superior experience in the competition.