As new Champions emerge, stars are born in Airtel Rising Star tournament

Two new champions have been crowned in the Under -17 Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) tournament Western Area version and new stars have also emerged justifying the purpose of having such a competition.  (Photo: Rashidatu Kamara receiving her prize for winning the female best player of the tournament award)

Saint Lewis Rangers defeated Eze FC 4-2 on penalty kicks after goalless at regular time in the grand finale becoming the new champions of the male category on Sunday at the Brima Atouga mini stadium where all the matches of the tournament took place.

Eze FC played the better part of the game with ten-man after Christopher Kamara was sent off in the 9th minute but fought very hard not to concede a goal at full time.

Mahmoud FC were crowned champions of the female category after a goal from the free-kick spot by the impressive Rashidatu Kamara gave them a narrow 1-0 win over Soccer Queens in a tight match.

The two Champions who were given gold medals and trophies have now qualified to represent the Western Area region in their different categories at the nationals to be staged in Makeni in August.

Saint Lewis Rangers owned by the Sierra Leone Premier League Board chairman Victor Lewis reached the final after defeating Sunderland FC 1-0 earlier in the day. Eze FC also booked their place after winning by the same score line against Real Mack FC.

The losing finalists in the two categories took silver medals and trophies. Real Mack FC and Palmer Queens from Waterloo took bronze for finishing third position in their respective categories. Apart from the medals and trophies, the three teams in each of the categories also received purse.

The ARS is mainly about identifying football talents and this tournament has yielded dividend as stars have emerged.

They are the Mahmoud FC quartet of Rashidatu Kamara, Sarah Bangura, Dorris Ansumana and Magret Sesay as well as Jarriatu Kamara and Fatmata Turay both of Soccer Queens.

These players were very impressive throughout the competition and it came as no surprise when one of them Rashidatu Kamara was chosen as the best player of the tournament for her outstanding performance and dominant role on the pitch.

In the male category, striker Mohamed S. Conteh of Eze FC who was named the most outstanding player of the tournament alongside competition’s top goal scorer with four goals Ibrahim Gobba and goalkeepers Sylvanus Thompson and Mohamed Sawanneh were identified as upcoming stars.

The ARS regional tournament continues next week with the Kono version from July 11th-15th.

Awards

Male Category

Champions: Saint Lewis Rangers

Runners-Up: Eze FC

Third place: Real Mack FC

Best Player: Mohamed S. Conteh (Eze FC)

Highest Goal scorer: Ibrahim Gobba (4 goals, Real Mack FC)

Best Goal Keeper: Sylvanus Thompson (Saint Lewis Rangers)

Female Category

Champions: Mahmoud FC

Runners-Up: Soccer Queens

Third Place: Palmer Queens

Best Player: Rashidatu Kamara

Highest Goal Scorer: Magret Sesay (3 goals, Mahmoud FC)

Best Goal Keeper: Adama Kamara (Soccer Queens)

Full results

Male category

Thursday 05/07/12

Sunderland FC 0-0, 4-2 (Pen) Flexx FC

Wellington United 0-2 Kei FC

Friday 06/07/12

Mount Aureol SLIFA 0-0 (2-4 pen) Saint Lewis Rangers

Eze FC 2-0 Area Best

Kallon FC Jr. 2-3 Mattia FC

Real Mack FC 3-0 Soccer Raiders

Saturday 07/07/12

Sunderland 0-0 Kei FC

Mattia 0-3 Eze FC

Real Mack FC 4-0 Mattia FC

Sunday 08/07/12

Sunderland 0-1 Saint Lewis Rangers

Eze FC 1-0 Real Mack FC

Grand Finale: Saint Lewis Rangers 0-0 (4-2 pen) Eze FC

Female category

Friday 06/07/12

Soccer Queens 3-0 East End Lioness

Hard Rock FC 0-1 Rural Queens

East End Lioness 0-2 Palmer Queens

Saturday 07/07/12

Real Queens 1-6 Mahmoud FC

Palmer Queens 0-3 Soccer Queens

Mahmoud FC 5-0 Hard Rock FC

Sunday 08/07/12

Grand Finale: Soccer Queens 0-1 Mahmoud FC

Article and photographs By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Freetown

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