The President and CEO of Gambian champions Assan Ndure has apologised to ES Setif, their Algerian champions league opponents last Saturday who had not got a team bus and had to go to the Stadium in batches on different small cars.
The visitors released videos of their departure from their hotel, which showed the players and team equipment s been shoved into a fleet of small cars. The image drew sharp criticism from the Algerians and indeed neutral football followers who called the incident an embarrassment.
Under the present Caf protocols the travelling team should provide accommodation and feeding for themselves but local transportation is the responsibility of the host team, in this case, Fortune FC.
When the matter was raised Fortune FC immediately corrected the apparent mishap and provided the visitors with a bus back to their hotel with an apology, which was accepted and understood by the Algerians. And by some dint of luck or comradeship the two teams flew on the same Air Algeria flight to Algiers together saving Fortune FC many days and money on transit and night stops.
The Standard confronted The Gambia Football Federation official on why the Federation did not offer advice. The official replied:” I know you will jump to crucify us over this but as matter of fact our competition department has been in touch with Fortune FC officials through out. I think it was an oversight but it was immediately corrected and am glad the Algerians understood”.
Fortune will play Setif in the return leg on Saturday with a massive 3-0 victory in their kitty.
