Orange First Division: Match Day 1 Review
Wednesday’s match marked IE’s first game in the top league since July 2017 when they were relegated to the second tier and eventually to the third division league.
Liberia’s traditional club Invincible Eleven’s return to the Liberian top tier league was marked by a 1-0 defeat against LISCR FC at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on Wednesday as the 2021/22 Orange National League got underway.
Debutant Kortu Brown scored the lone goal after he made the final strike on a ball delivered from a corner-kick that was earlier headed and struck by striker Christopher Jackson.
Wednesday’s match marked IE’s first game in the top league since July 2017 when they were relegated to the second tier and eventually to the third division league.
The “Yellow Boys” could have conceded more goals, but thanks to goalkeeper Kelvin Bayoh for a couple of saves including a Christopher Jackson’s penalty 23 minutes down the clock.
Fans would expect a better performance from their “darling IE” after a rebirth into the first division. Unfortunately, things may not go on as expected as the current squad appeals to have stamina only for the first 45 minutes.
However, IE’s new head coach Samuel Sumo, who had a short spell at the club during their worst season in the last decade (2016/17 league season), still believes in his squad.
“It was a great game and I was very impressed with my team. This is a new team comprising a new breed of players that I have worked with for the past one-week so, judging from our performance against LISCR today, I am hopeful that we will do better in our next game,” coach Sumo said.
Despite collecting all three points, LISCR FC’s new head coach, Samuel Quaye, a Ghanaian appointed on a two-year deal as replacement of Tapha Manneh, sees the need to make some additions to the squad in the second half of the season.
“We won the game, but we have some problems with our goal scoring chances that need to be worked on before our next match. I will work with the players I came and met, because I don’t have an option for now, but rather work with them until the second half of the season then we can make a couple of changes.”
Champions Oilers Crush Newly Promoted Sandi Away
Debutants Jestino Jackson and Darlington Weah were impressive as Oilers blew away promoted Sandi FC in their opening game at the Tusa Field in Gardnersville.
After riding into the new league season with a strong signal by edging out knockout champions Monrovia Club Breweries 4-0 at the Doris Williams Sports Pitch to win the Super Cup over the weekend, Oilers took off from where they stopped, as three goals from their two new additions proved enough to welcome Sandi into the top league.
Weah, formerly of second division side Jubilee, netted the opener in the 13th minute before Jackson, formerly of dissolved BYC-I, slotted home the second goal in the 42nd minute to end the first half 2-0.
The second 45 was different from the first as the champions only managed to score a single goal with Jackson completing his brace after 78 minutes.
Freeport Force 2-2 Draw with Barrolle
Freeport FC fought back from two goals down to grasp a 2-2 draw with Mighty Barrolle at the Doris Williams Sports Pitch after Jonathan Eke and another debutant, Gibson Freeman, denied the home side from walking away with the three points.
The result was a disappointing one for Barrolle, but better than their archrivals, IE.
Jill Blemah led the host into a 37th minute lead, followed by former Nimba United striker Varney Dukuly’s first goal for his new club 45+2 minutes in the first half.
Freeport’s fight back began in the 60th minute when Eke recorded Freeport’s first goal before new boy Freeman announced himself to his new fans by scoring the late equalizer in the 85th minute.
Watanga Thump Nimba United 4-0
Watanga FC underlined their ambition for the new league season with a 4-0 win against Nimba United at the SKD Mini-stadium in Paynesville.
Striker Josephus Weah appears ready to fit in the shoes of former striker Augustine Out, who finished as the highest goal scorer.
Weah recorded the first hat-trick of the 2021/22 league season when he netted a penalty in the 4th minute-the fastest goal scored on the opening day, before netting the second in the 10th minute to put Watanga in a comfortable lead for the first half.
Two second half goals from Weah in the first five minutes and the second in the 54th minute from Farsedu Logan sealed the three points for Coach Matthew Julutweh.
Draw Games in Nimba, Cape Mount
The Nimba derby between Nimba Kwado and newly promoted Heaven Eleven did not produce a goal as both teams settled to a goalless draw at the Sanniquellie Sports Pitch in Nimba County.
Heaven Eleven gained promotion to the top league after emerging champions of the 2020/21 Orange second division league season.
Elsewhere in Kinjor, hosts Bea Mountain came from a goal down to force Monrovia Club Breweries to a 1-1 draw.
Breweries tried to bounce back from their disappointing 4-0 defeat against Oilers in the Super Cup by taking the lead in the 8th minute through debutant Valentino Wilson.
Six minutes later, the home side replied with Saah Nyumah firing home the equalizer as both teams shared points.
Bea Mountain were reduced to ten men in the 63rd minute after defender Eugen Swen was sent off.
Sunday, November 7 Fixtures -3:30PM
Sandi vs Freeport – Nancy B. Doe (Kakata)
MC Breweries vs Mighty Barrole – ATS
Nimba United vs. Bea Mountain – North Star
Heaven Eleven vs. Watanga – Yeekpa
IE vs Nimba Kwado – Technical Center
Oilers vs LISCR – Tusa Field