Baboucarr Gaye and Mustapha Jah were handed their European debuts on Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Haruna Njie was restored back to his natural position in defensive midfield as he helped FRS triumph over Estonian champions Levadia 1-0 courtesy of Panić’s penalty in the 55th minute at the Lilleküla Stadium.
The Greens new signing, Mustapha Jah, played 90 minutes in their 2-1 home win against the Welsh side Haverford West. The return leg will be at Parc y Scarlets on Thursday.
After the final whistle, the Alkamba Times got Mustapha Jah’s reaction after his debut at the Centenary Stadium.
” I am really happy to be back on the pitch again. It wasn’t easy, sitting more than two years without playing football. I feel like I’m at home in Floriana; everyone welcomes me. I am looking forward to having playing time and repaying the trust and love shown so far. Our target is to reach the third round of the qualifiers, and I am hoping to score goals to help the team. We are focusing on the game, one by one. If we keep this momentum, it will help us a lot. I am happy and grateful to be back.” He indicated
In Tallinn, Bubacarr Tambedou was introduced in the 68th minute when he replaced Roosnupp as the Estonian champions failed to the Latvian champions. Levadia had to face the game without a captain—central defender Rasmus Peetson was absent from the match due to health concerns. Haruna, who played in his natural position, was making his 15th European appearance as a 19-year-old.
Baboucarr Gaye made three saves, with the last two being crucial; he first denied Ben Wilson on a point-blank midway through the second half. Jordan Williams capitalized on a defensive mistake before playing in Wilson with a good through ball, but the summer signing was denied by Baboucarr Gaye in the Shkëndija goal to register a clean sheet on his European debut. The host created the first opportunities, but the visitors took control of the game and even had the ball cleared off the line twice.
Those who played on Tuesday will be playing their return leg next week on Thursday, while the rest of the Gambian foreign-based players kickstart their campaign on Thursday, 10th July.
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