In a gripping cup encounter at the Dream Of Life on 15 April 2025, Serekunda United FC faced off against Real de Banjul, ultimately succumbing to a narrow defeat in a penalty shootout after a tense 90 minutes of normal time and 5 minutes of extra time, with the final score standing at 0-0 before Real de Banjul triumphed 5-4 in penalties.
Serekunda United adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alhagie Camara stationed in goal. The backline consisted of Lamin Colley and Baboucarr Beyai as the right and left defenders, respectively, while Ousainou Bah and Phillip Sambou formed the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Lamin Saho and Muhammed Lowe operated as central midfielders, tasked with both defensive duties and initiating attacks. Ahead of them, Saidou Badjie and Modou Saidy occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles, respectively, while Lamin Manjang played centrally as the attacking midfielder, supporting lone striker Muhammed Ceesay.
The substitutes for Serekunda United included Buba Samateh and Muhammed Mbye, who would later play a role in the match dynamics.
The match began with an early foul by Lamin Saho in the 9th minute, as he was penalised for a push, setting the tone for a fiercely contested battle. Serekunda United's Lamin Manjang made an attempt on goal shortly after, in the 14th minute, showcasing the team's attacking intent.
As the first half progressed, Phillip Sambou made a key pass in the 16th minute, furthering Serekunda's offensive efforts. However, it was Alhagie Camara who stole the show with a crucial goalkeeping performance, making a catch in the 17th minute to deny Real de Banjul any early momentum.
Defensively, Serekunda United held firm, with Lamin Colley executing a vital clearance in the 19th minute, while Ousainou Bah and Phillip Sambou both prevented chances with headers shortly thereafter. Camara continued to assert his presence, catching another cross in the 26th minute, demonstrating his reliability under pressure.
Saidou Badjie created a significant opportunity with a long pass in the 26th minute, but the first half concluded without any goals, despite Baboucarr Beyai's attempt in the 37th minute. The teams went into the break level at 0-0.
The second half saw Lamin Saho again involved in a foul, this time for obstruction just before the half-time whistle. As the match resumed, Modou Saidy was penalised for holding in the 52nd minute, but Serekunda United's defence remained resolute. Camara continued to shine, making another save in the 55th minute, showcasing his importance to the team.
In the 60th minute, a substitution was made as Buba Samateh replaced Modou Saidy, who had started the match short of fitness. Camara's heroics continued as he caught another cross in the 60th minute, maintaining Serekunda's clean sheet.
However, the match took a turn in the 62nd minute when Ousainou Bah received a yellow card for persistent infringements, putting him on a tightrope for the remainder of the match. Camara's goalkeeping prowess was again on display in the 64th minute as he caught yet another cross, keeping Real de Banjul at bay.
The tension escalated in the 70th minute when Lamin Colley was penalised for a handball, leading to a penalty for Real de Banjul. In a moment of brilliance, Camara made a stunning penalty save in the 71st minute, preserving the stalemate and sending the Serekunda United fans into raptures.
As the match wore on, Lamin Manjang was substituted for Muhammed Mbye in the 72nd minute due to injury, adding to the tactical adjustments of Serekunda United. The game remained fiercely contested, with Baboucarr Beyai committing a late tackle in the 81st minute, and Lamin Saho receiving a yellow card in the 85th minute for his own foul.
In the dying moments of the match, Muhammed Mbye made an attempt in the 90th minute, but it sailed high, reflecting the mounting pressure on both sides. The match extended into extra time, where Alhagie Camara continued to defend resolutely, making an interception in the 94th minute.
As the match concluded, Serekunda United's hopes rested on the penalty shootout. Despite a valiant effort, they fell short, with Real de Banjul converting 5 penalties to Serekunda's 4, ending a hard-fought contest that showcased the determination and skill of both teams, particularly that of goalkeeper Alhagie Camara, who was undoubtedly the standout performer of the match.
