Faraba Banta emerged victorious in the 2024–2025 Kombo East Knockout Tournament, claiming the championship for the fourth time after edging out Kafuta Jarisu 6-5 in a nail-biting penalty shootout.
The final match thrilled a packed audience as both sides had clear chances during regular play but failed to find the net. Faraba Banta’s Bakary Badjie missed a key opportunity early on when his header missed the target, while Kafuta’s Omar Jarju was denied by a solid save from Faraba’s goalkeeper.
With the game ending goalless, penalties decided the outcome. Faraba Banta’s players showed exceptional composure, converting all six of their attempts. Kafuta, who had previously defeated Faraba during the group stages, managed to score five out of six, falling just short of the title.
Determined to bounce back from their earlier loss, Faraba Banta approached the final with renewed focus. Head coach Omar BJ Cham, also known as “Bun,” praised his team’s adaptability and resilience. “We took lessons from that earlier defeat and turned it into motivation for the final,” he said. “The boys gave it their all.”
Team captain Momodou Saidykhan expressed immense pride in the win. “This means everything to us. We’ve been chasing this trophy for the past two years, and finally lifting it is a moment of fulfillment.”
Despite the narrow loss, Kafuta’s coach remained hopeful. “It’s a tough result, but we accept it with grace. Many of our players are very young, and this experience will only make them better next season.”
Faraba Banta received the championship trophy along with a D50,000 cash prize. Kafuta, as runners-up, were awarded D40,000, concluding an exciting chapter of the Kombo East tournament.
