Leone Stars beaten by DR Congo
Leone Stars have been beaten 2-0 by the Leopards of Democratic Republic Congo to suffer second straight defeat in 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. (Photo: George Kweku Davies with Leone Stars best chance of the match (Photo Credit: Darren McKinstry)
The group D match was played at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi in front of an enthusiastic crowd on Wednesday four days after Leone Stars lost 2-1 to Les Elephants of Ivory Coast.
Leone Stars were the host despite they played away from home as the African football governing body, CAF ordered them to play the match in a neutral venue due to the outbreak of Ebola disease in Sierra Leone
The result means Leone Stars are now bottom of group D after the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon thrashed Les Elephants 4-1 in Yaoundé.
The crowd at the TP Mazembe stadium was hostile to Leone Stars as they chanted provocative ‘Ebola’ song before the match and throughout the 90 minutes of play.
The goals came in the second half after the two teams missed clear chances in the first half with Leone Stars having the best opportunity.
The second half was largely dominated by the Leopards and deservedly got the goals that won them the match.
Mubele Firmin of local club AS Vita opened the scores six minutes after the break and Russia based Bokila Yannick sealed the victory two minutes to full time.
DR Congo were on top of the game in the first quarter of the match with the impressive Mubele Firmin of local club AS Vita club and Bolasie Yannick causing problems for the Leone Stars defence. They were also quick on the break.
Both came close to scoring; Firmin’s header from a left wing cross went over the cross bar after a fine build-up in the 13th minute and Yannick headed wide from the box two minutes later.
Leone Stars slowly got into the match with Captain Kei Kamara looking dangerous on several occasions. He made two passes that could have resulted to Leone Stars scoring after he headed over the cross bar a neat cross from George Davies.
Kamara then dribbled in from the left and sent a through pass for Davies who failed in his attempt to beat the Congolese goalie and skipper Robert Kidiaba in the 22nd minute. It was Leone Stars best scoring chance of the match.
Two minutes later Kei again sent a pass meant for Alhaji Kamara in the box but was beaten to it by the tall Congoloese Belgium based defender Mbema Chancel.
Striker Alhassan Kamara’s long range shot in the 30th minute was saved by Kadiaba.
The Congolese could have scored on counter attacks before the break but were twice denied by the good goal keeping of Solomon Zombo Morris.
The Leone Stars players looked tired in the second half which was dominated by the Congolese.
Firmin went close to scoring before he finally broke the deadlock six minutes after the interval when he acrobatically volleyed into the net a right wing cross to send the crowd into jubilation.
Leone Stars took off Alhaji Kamara and introduced the Sweden based midfielder Ibrahim Kallay who brought some life into the team but didn’t last for long. They however, didn’t create a clear chance.
Davies was later replaced by Sweden based Albert Kargbo who made his first appearance for Leone Stars.
Firmin was stretched off and didn’t come back to the pitch as he was replaced by Bokila Yannick who accounted for the second goal in the 88th minute as he released a left footed shot into the net after receiving a clinical pass from Spain based Mbawati Cedric from the right wing to seal the victory.
Cameroon now lead the group with maximum points from two matches while DR Congo are in second place on goal difference ahead of Ivory Coast.
Reaction:
Coach Jonathan Mckinstry: “We lost because our players got tired due long travel periods and lack of time to prepare.”
Leone Stars line up: 1, Solomon Zombo Morris, 2, Mustapha Dumbuya, 3, Sheriff Suma, 16, Abdul Rahman Bangura, 18, David Simbo, 4, Mohamed ‘Medo’ Kamara, 5, Khalifa Jabbie, 10, Kei Kamara (Capt), 11, Alhaji Kamara (Albert Kargbo 63’), 7, George Davies (Albert Kargbo 82’) 6, Alhassan Kamara
Subs: 12 John Tyre (GK), 15, Albert Kargbo, 17, Umaru Bangura, 9, Mohamed Kamanor, 8, Ibrahim Kallay
Coach: Jonathan Mckinstry
Leopards of DR Congo line-up: 1, Robert Kadiaba (GK & Capt), 2, Issama Mpeko, 3, Kasula John, 4, Mbemba Chancel, 17, Mongungu Cedrick, 5, Distel Zola, 7, Lema Mabidi, 13, Lusadisu Guy, 18, Mabwati Cedric, 10, Mubele Firmin (Bokila Yannick 83’), 11, Bolasie Yannick (Kabangu Dack 70’)
Subs: 16, Miciese Kudibana, 14, Zakwani Gbriel, 12, Bawaka Mabele, Nitela Tychique, 6, Kabangu Dack, 9, Bokila Yannick
Coach: Florent Ibenge
Referee: Youssef Essrayri (Tunisia)
AR1: Mohamed Bitouta (Tunisia)
AR2: Romeo Kasengele (Zambia)
RR: Nasrallah Jaouadi (Tunisia)
MC: Mohamed Omar Abubakar (Kenya)
Goal scorers: Mubele Firmin 51’, Bokila Yannick 88’,
Bookings: Mohamed ‘Medo’ Kamara 30’, Bokila Yannick 83’
Credit: Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) Sponsors: Mercury International Ltd By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in LubumbashiStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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