African International Youth Tournament kicks off with victory for Sierra Leone
The much awaited African International Youth tournament kicked off on Saturday in a glittering opening ceremony that saw series of performances from the Black and White group in a Michael Jackson type performance. Project Fame star Jocelia Gbondo and the Ayoub International School kids led the tournament’s own version of Waka Waka rendition, the African Dance Group added spice to an opening gig that got the audience at the National Stadium dancing and getting caught in the flair and glee of a befitting opening ceremony.
Not even the one minute clapping in honour of the late Issa Koroma a.k.a. Madam in which honour this year’s tournament is named and European football enthusiast Papa Jacques dampened the spirit at the National Stadium. it was as if the achievements of the late pair was rather celebrated than mourned. A brief statement from the organisers welcomed all and dedicated the tournament to Issa Koroma a.k.a. Madam and Jocelia Gbondo gave a rendition of the Sierra Leone national anthem.
After the glitterati of a dazzling opening ceremony it was back to real football action and Sierra Leone Under-20 took to the pitch against defending champions Barrack Young Controllers of Liberia. It was a match that was played with intensity and hard tackling that forced the referee to dish out several caution and eventually a sending off for a Liberian defender.
The match which started brightly saw both sides battling in a largely midfield play in which BYC Matthew Dede and Sierra Leone Under-20 captain Khalifa Jabbie fought hard to control a match which neither side was able to take hold of.
The first clear attempt on goal came in the 10th minute and Liberian goalkeeper was in a very good position to save Khalifa Jabbie’s 25 yard screamer. In a match that was playes with tough and hard tackling, it was never going to take too long before the referee dipped his hands in his pocket and in the 13 minute BYC number 15 Alpha T James was the first to be cautioned after a hard tackle on Sierra Leone’s Sulaiman Kamara.
Abubakarr Crespo Kamara should have taken the lead in the first half but squandered clear chance on goal and could not figure out what should have been a goal.
Careless defending from Sierra Leone defender Baimba Kamara gave the Liberians a perfect opportunity to take the lead but BYC Andrew F. Swaray failed to make use of the chance and shot wide.
The deadlock was however broken on the 60th minute when Abubakarr Crespo Kamara took the lead for Sierra Leone Leone Under-20 from a well deserved goal after Idrissa Sesay flicked in a fine cross from the right hand of the pitch, Crespo wasted no time and jumped and headed into goal.
Abubakarr Crespo Kamara was on fire and immediately made another miss. The Liberians was by then loosing touch in the match and BYC James P. Nalatee receives 2nd yellow and marching orders after a hard tackling offense. Newly substituted Sierra Leone attacker Lamin Samura misses a tap in from close range, but the second goal was never far away as the Sierra Leoneans scored again from a tussling ball in the six yard box. Alhaji Kamara drilled in the loose ball after the ball lipped-off from the hands of the BYC FC goalie Mulbah Urey. Celebration erupts in the national stadium and it was clear that the match was over.
After the match Sierra Leone Under-20 coach looked at the brighter side and acknowledged that despite the rough and hard-tackling match both teams had to endure his side fully deserved the victory. His Liberian counterpart Abraham Sese disagreed saying the referee was horrible, “There was too much lapses by the referee, you see him take two players out and bring in again, I hate to talk about referees but bad refereeing contributed to us loosing the match. Playing the host team is really difficult and the referee didn’t help,” said a worried Sese.
One thing everyone here can agree though is that the AIYT Madam Trophy is up and running everyone seems to be looking forward to the many exciting encounters coming up.
Teams Line-Up
Sierra Leone Under-20: Mambay Sartie, Baimba Kamara, Abu Sesay, Ibrahim A.S. Kamara, Gibril L. Fofanah, Khalifa Jabbie-captain, Sulaiman Kamara (Osman Kamara ‘79’), Idrissa Sesay (Lansana Kamara ‘69’) Alhaji Kamara, Alhassan A. Kamara (Lamin Suma ‘85’) and Mohamed Mansaray.
Head Coach: Alimamy Turay
Barrack Young Controllers FC: Mulbah Q. Urey, Jacob Goe (Lamin M. Jabateh ‘59’), James L. Powell, Jusufu Y. Hargrave, Alpha T. James, Myers F. Garlo, Oueenjay S. Continanta, Sylvester D. Neufville, Claudius S. Morris (Samuel G. Johnson ‘60’), Kpah Sherman and Andrew F. Swaray (James P. Nalatee ‘46’)
Head Coach: Abraham Sese-H
Muctaru Wurie, Freetown
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2010, https:. All rights reserved.
