By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a remarkable debut season, Abacha City Football Club is making waves in the Leone Rock Premier League with a stunning 2-1 victory over ‘Freetonian’ SLIFA.
The match, played at the Approved School Field, marked the first-ever league encounter between the two teams; and Abacha City proved that their rise to the top is no fluke.
The victory temporarily propels them into fourth place in the standings, whilst SLIFA finds themselves struggling near the bottom.
As the match kicked off, the atmosphere was electric with both teams desperate to claim victory. Though SLIFA entered with expectations of success, it was Abacha City who showcased remarkable determination from the first whistle.
Both sides were at first cautious, seemingly mapping out strategies rather than charging forward. But it was Abacha City who looked more dangerous, with players Ishmail Kuyateh and Lamin Kamara putting pressure on the SLIFA goalkeeper, Unisa Conteh, albeit without finding the final touch as the game proceeded.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Lamin Kamara, after skillfully maneuvering through SLIFA’s defense, found the back of the net. The home crowd erupted in celebration, the joy palpable as they sensed their team’s growing confidence.
Just over ten minutes later, Abacha City doubled their lead. Emerson Amos finished off a slick passing move, sending their supporters into raptures once again.
Despite going into halftime behind, SLIFA returned to the pitch with renewed energy and intent. The second half saw them focus on possession and pressing forward with greater urgency, eagerly hunting for a goal to turn the match around.
Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute when Amara Keita unleashed a brilliant shot, reducing the goal deficit, and igniting hopes of a comeback.
However, whilst the pressure mounted, Abacha City’s defense stood resolute. Each attempt from SLIFA was met with fierce resistance; and the home side’s commitment to holding onto their lead was commendable.
As the final whistle blew, joy swept over the Abacha City players and their fans, whilst SLIFA faced yet another bitter disappointment, extending their winless streak to five matches.
With the victory, Abacha City sits proudly in fourth place with an impressive tally of 12 points from seven matches, marking a strong start to their first top-flight campaign.
The team’s recent momentum, featuring back-to-back wins against Bai Bureh Warriors and SLIFA, has ignited hopes among supporters for a sustained success.
Abacha City is set to face Freetown City FC next at the same venue on February 5, 2025. Meanwhile, SLIFA will be aiming desperately for a turnaround when they meet Kamboi Eagles on February 11, 2025. Both teams now face critical matches that could define their trajectories in this tumultuous league season.
