Several Gambian footballers played key roles as their clubs secured qualification to the second round of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers on Thursday.

Estonian side Paide Linnameeskond produced an outstanding performance to defeat Lithuanian club Hegelmann 3-0 in the second leg of their first qualifying round tie, completing a 4-1 aggregate victory after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Gambian duo Pa Modou Sohna and Abdourahman Badamosi were both on the scoresheet with superb goals. Badamosi also found the net in the first leg, making it two goals across the two-legged tie.

Fellow Gambian Ebrima Jarju started in goal and kept a clean sheet, while Pa Abdou Cham and Momodou Jobarteh were named among the substitutes but remained unused as Paide booked their place in the next round.

Elsewhere, Gambian midfielder Modou Saidy was also on target as Latvian champions RFS defeated Northern Irish side Glentoran 2-0 in the second leg to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory and advance to the next stage of the competition.

By Ebrima KB Sonko