After his side lost to Bakau in two consecutive zonal finals, the Banjul midfield maestro George Cole has paid a glowing tribute to the zonal kings - Bakau - admitting that "they are the best side".

The Wallidan hitman was a key man in the Banjul team that lost 2-1 to Bakau in the final of the Baby Muhammed Yahya Jammeh Zonal Championships on Saturday. The resounding victory saw Bakau earn a back-to-back title dream, and in effect become the first zone to win the tournament after it was revamped and re-named after the president's son (Baby Muhammed Yahya Jammeh) with a much improved winner prize.

"Bakau deserved the victory because they played better. They won it last year and this year too they won it. So Bakau are the best," said the crafted midfielder who accounted for Banjul's only goal on the day.

"It's difficult to believe that we lost in two successive finals. This year was ours because we have had very good preparations. But so is football and we will look forward to next year's competition."