Gainako Newspaper

..............."UNICLAM"
..........................A Naweetan Phenomenon
......................................................By Momodou Laama Jallow....................Posted January 10th, 2007

The author of the piece, Momodou Laama Jallow recalled his days in latrikunda German as a soccer
player. Soccer then and soccer now? Laama won’t forget that Sunday’s victory in 1989 and he narrates
it today as if it happened just hours ago. In his narration, he cheered the gallant Uniclam, which he was
a part and parcel of. It is obvious that a 4-0 game result cannot be easily erased from the minds of the
winners much more to the losers whose hearts might have boiled then from anger. It’s amazing to recall
the good old days of everything. Soccer, a typical game in the Gambia and world wide constitutes a lot
of fun. We surely invite the opposing team then if they are reading us to come up with a rejoinder to
narrate to us how they felt after that game and what their struggle was after that moment.
(Below we reproduce Laama’s piece unedited.)

Summer 1989, Serekunda west soccer field. League finals between year’s two best team Uniclam
football club versus Napoli football club. Representatives from the Ministry of Youth & Sports were
present; dignitaries from the local municipality (K.M.C), football scouts from the First division teams, and
the local Alkali with his entourage were all present for this epic battle.

Great fanfare was staged for the openings by the Naweetan committee. Their was a local band playing, the
soccer field was crowded. Pa-Casoree, great custodian of the soccer field in his neat white shorts and
walking stick was busy walking round the field making sure the demarcation line between players and
supporters was well defined and kept. Occasionally imploring the fans to let the fate of the battle be
decided on the soccer field. People from the Kanifing area, Latrikunda, Dippakunda, Manjay kunda,
Kololi, Bakau, Jeshwang, Bundung, Talinding, and all the surroundings were present. Anticipations were
high, there was great tension in the air for word has traveled far and wide that the boys of Latrikunda
“German” has come of age and this will be their finest hour.

Facing the uniclam team were the great naweetan defender Karamo Mass a.k.a “kash”, the Boye
brothers- Matarr and Pa Boye, "bully" the tenacious midfield player, and the legendary “Joe tennis”
who amongst others formed the core of the Naples’ team.

Ten minutes into the opening first half, a throw pass by Baba Trawalley a.k.a “Baba sheriff” led to Kebba
Faye aka “Doctor Faye” scoring the first goal. This was followed by a second goal by Baba sheriff whose
speed and ball control has been a constant torment on Napoli’s defenses and the corner stone of uniclam’s
offense. At this point the field exploded into Uproar-supporters chanting, and dancing. The comedian and
die-hard supporter “Pa Ndow” dressed in traditional Jola regalia “kan-dama” was running round the
soccer field riling the fans. “Uniclam”! Uniclam! Uni-dole! Added to this onslaught was uniclam striker
Ebou Joof whose height and strength was a constant aerial threat to napoli's defenses. By the end of the
first half Napoli was down by three goals with a third goal by Doctor Faye.

A second half rally by Napoli's Joe tennis led to two near goal misses but by fifteen minutes into this half,
Napoli's offense was effectively contained by the brilliants of our midfield players, Sylvanous Johnson, Ba
Sekou Jabang, Baboucar Faye a.k.a Mence and Tapha Jobe who outwitted and outmaneuvered the great
“Bully” and company in the middle. This coupled with constant vigil maintained by our defenders; the
author of this piece (Laama Jallow), L. Gibba, Ebou Colley, Jiki Jarjue and Farimang Ceesay a.k.a
“Governor General”and goal keeper Tundee Davis. Eventually the Uniclam pressure wore down
Napoli’s will to fight and finally a fourth goal by Boy Casseh sealed their faith. The next day radio Gambia
sports commentator described the 4-0 victory as a “ROUT”. This is the beginning of the uniclam
phenomena.

But what happens on that Sunday September 10th, 1989 was no miracle; Instead it was the culminations
of years of playing together in the Serekunda West Junior Naweetan league as little boys, under the name
of Super Herculees, and later as young adults played under the club name Papa Njie some in different
teams before finally came together as one unified team. The coming of a former GNA soldier Baby Sam
a.k.a “Base” and Sam Topp before the naweetan season as physical instructor and coach respectively was
an added blessing. Baby Sam brought in discipline and introduces a regime of rigorous physical training
that was only rival by the Armed Forces Soccer team. This comprises of intensive training in the morning
at the beach where the density of the sands added weight to your muscles thereby increasing your stamina.
In the afternoon training regime include skills Practice at Latrikunda primary school soccer field and
watching videos of the Great “platini”, Rud Gulit and many European soccer stars for inspirations. Coach
Sam brought in new tactics, a winning strategy and above all cohesiveness within the team. By the
beginning of the season we were well conditioned and poised to overwhelm any opponent. This was
evidenced by our sweep of all the teams in our group leading to the finals. The contributions made by the
supporting cast George Sarr, Sheriff Njanko, Joe Comma, Andre Njie, Njaga Secka, Baboucar Adams,
Peter Mendy was a crucial part of our success. Also the managerial support of our team officers Joe
Mendy, Ebou Secka, Ebou Ceesay, Kebba Faal “Papo”, Idi Tamba, S.M Faal, Burang Ceesay and
Modou Ceesay ensure that the team is in high spirit.

Added to this is the fact that since this was the first time the neighborhood in Latrikunda German had
produced one unified soccer team that utilised all the talents from the surrounding areas. All local rivalries
disappeared and hence the result was the team was universally embraced by everyone and enjoyed
overwhelming local support.

After the trophy award ceremony, the fans and players marched in huge numbers in latrikunda chanting
late in the night as a way of jubilation over victory. The Team went on to Win for three more seasons.
Baba Sheriff was recruited and went to played for REAL de Banjul, where he emerged as a leading
striker. L Gibba eventually played for the Gambia national team, the “Scorpion” as central defender. By
and large, most of the boys eventually left for Europe and America. I on the other hand went to sixth form
at Gambia High school before leaving for England in 1992 where the excitements of the sciences became
my new pre-occupation.

In 2004, I went to the Gambia after many years in absentia and met this stranger at the Serekunda market.
Amidst the bustling crowd, and the incessant noise of taxi cabs he yelled Laama! Laama! And when I
turned around he shook my hand and said “uniclam”! I smiled and nodded. The strangers name was
“Jupita” great a supporter of the Napoli's football club.

Momodou Laama Jallow
Raleigh, North Carolina

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