Real de Banjul defender Makaira Tambedou says he grateful to be back and is ready to serve the City Boys who supported his recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he suffered.

The centre-back, who has now fully recovered from the ACL injury he suffered in 2021, had a successful loan spell at Elite United last season before returning fully fit to play for Real de Banjul where he has seem to have formed a solid partnership with David Sambou at the heart of the defense, as the two marshalled the champions’ back-line with two consecutive clean sheets in two league matches.

Speaking to club media after two outstanding outings for the City Boys, the tall, commanding and powerful center, said he is elated to be back playing for the club he feels indebted to.

“I feel great to be back playing for Real de Banjul, a club that I can say is the reason why I’m able to play again by helping me do my operation on my knee which was an ACL, so the club deserves my service and I’m willing to be part of the team to defend the championship InshAllah (God willing) with all my heart,” Tambedou said.

Makaira feels the clean sheets recorded after the two games are no flukes and they deserved praise for them. He said: “The victories with clean sheets shows how united we are as defenders and how determined we’re during the training, because as the coach will say his weakness is the defenders which is a motivation word for us to work hard as a team. So, we hope we continue working extra hard with the help of the gaffer who’s behind how we play as a back four.”

He said going on loan to Elite United last season helped build his confidence and made him ready to return to Real de Banjul: “I never regret going on loan and even more to a second division team, which is Elite United, a club that help me build my confidence back with the help of the coaches there who had the believe in me. Everything paid off and the loan move was the perfect plan for me. So I am good to go as I’m Real For Real!”

Head Coach Ebrima Jatta commented on the return of Makaira Tambedou saying that: “When I came to Real de Banjul, he was at home nursing his injury but did pop up time to time to the training ground. He returned last season when he recovered but he was sent on loan at Elite United. Disappointingly for me, I couldn’t watch him play during his loan at Elite United. So he came back (to Real de Banjul) when I’m the head coach, and I was still thinking if he can make the team.”

Coach Jatta added: “I even considered sending him back on loan but as we progressed into the preseason, I could see certain qualities in him of which I really like my defenders to put up in games. Until the last days before the squad registration, I finally made the decision that Makaira will stay with me together with David Sambou as a pair. But anytime I go home I had this doubt if they can make it but I’m happy that they’re proving me wrong.”

Makaira and his center-back pair, David Sambou went on to cast aside Jatta’s doubts against Fortune FC and he said that: “In the first half (against Fortune), I was surprised. I can see them doing exactly what they were tasked to do. In the dressing room at half time, I had to clap for them. I told them ‘bravo, you stepped up and showed me that you’re ready to play’. They listened to me and whenever I call their attention, they stop, listen and do exactly like I demonstrate. For Makaira, his leadership qualities are okay and he has special qualities in the field that no body can stop him from doing. He tackles, read the game well, wins aerial duels, putting the ball in the middle third of the field, Makaira is just exceptional.”

“I pray that his current form continues and may Allah the Almighty protect him from injury that he passed through, because it was a very serious injury that if he wasn’t strong and committed to his football career, by now he would’ve been home. Makaira can tackle and do anything without thinking of that injury, he put that injury at the back. I have high regard for Makaira, so I believe as a team with the rest of the technicians the sky is the limit. So, I would like to say thank you very much Makaira for the performances,” Head Coach Jatta ended as saying.