By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Liberia National U-20 team has won the Zonal Tournament against Sierra Leone National U-20 team in Liberia.
Liberia National U-20 team trashed Sierra Leone National U-20 5-1 in the last match at the Samuel K. Doe Stadium in Liberia to win the final round of the U-20 Zonal Tournament.
It could be recalled that after Liberia’s back-to-back draw against the Sierra Leone’s National U-20 team, Sierra Leone defeated Liberia’s U-20 team, 1-0, in the third match of the U-20 Zonal Tournament where Alie Adjust Kamara was the match’s hero, with a superb effort that enabled the Shooting Stars to secure a critical victory against the Leon Stars of Liberia.
But, in the Final match on Sunday 26th February 2024, Liberia U-20 came up strong against their counterparts with a resounding 5-1 win in the Zonal Tournament.
Jah Nyanforth opened the scoring for Liberia in the 5th minute of play, but Sierra Leone came very strong and got their equalizer in the 30 minutes a goal scored by Samuel Grandi from the Penalty spot. Before, the end of the first half of play, the Liberians took the lead in the 45 minutes of play from the Penalty spot a goal scored by Emmanuel Sie. The host extended their lead in the 60th minute of play a goal scored by Mateus Kolenda, another goal from Emmanuel Sie in the 70 minutes of play add more frustration to the Sierra Leone National U-20 team. After Another brilliant play from the host they sealed their victory in the 76 minutes of play a goal scored by O.G. And it ended 5 goals to one against Sierra Leone National U-20 team.
After the end of the tournament, Sierra Leoneans young Star Mohamed Fofanah won the Best player of the tournament, whilst Liberia National striker Emmanuel K Sieh won the top highest goal scores, the best goalkeeper award goes to the Liberia National U-20 goal man Onesimus Beyan and finally the man of the match award goes to Mateus Kolenda of the Liberia National U-20 team. His outstanding performance in their last Zonal encounter has made him to earn that prestigious award.
Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National U-20 Mohamed Lamin Kamara was optimistic that he will carry all three points considering their last performance, and he selected similar lines up just to gain the three points, but the Liberian were so exceptional in all departments in the field that led them to humiliate our beloved U-20.
