Liberia’s two representatives in the Confederation of African Football ( CAF) competitions on Wednesday, August 24, justified their inclusions at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in the 2022/ 2023 Liberia Football Association ( LFA) Super Cup.
Both Watanga FC and LISCR FC proved what it takes to be at the higher pick, testimonies of what was demonstrated during the super cup.
Watanga FC will take on Nigerian Champions, Rivers United in the CAF Champions League while LISCR FC will be against Ivory Coast’s SC Gagnoa in CAF Confederation Cup.
Watanga FC won the last edition of the league while LISCR FC clinched the Petro Trade Cup following a post-match penalty win over Tony FC in the grand final which qualified both clubs for a traditional super cup as a gateway for a new league season.
In the opening minutes of the match, both teams were very much careful in their defending which limited each other to fewer goal chances, but Watanga FC announced her readiness for the new league season under new coach Cooper Sannah as left back Carlos Williams put them ahead from a close range just two minutes into the 2nd half.
However, their lead did not last long as Sierra Leone’s Ishmael Dumbuya leveled the score 16 minutes later from a long-range pass that beat the defense of the league champions.
His goal was adjudged to have been offside by many soccer personalities and even some sports journalists.
Some blamed the second official, Thomas Konneh, who was positioned on the left side of the pitch to have done better in justifying the goal.
Again, the players and technical staff of Watanga FC had a long conversation with Central Referee Stanley Konah Jr. regarding the goal, but the youthful FIFA badge referee did not give them attention.
Carlos and Ishmael’s goals ended the match 1-1 in 90 minutes of playing and extra time before it was determined in a post-match penalty which saw the ‘Shipping boys’ of LISCR winning 4-1 to clinch their 6th super cup title in 20 years.
What was another interesting story on Wednesday, is the introduction of a new electronic scoreboard by the LFA and the huge attendance of a cross session of fans for one of the most talked about matches in recent.
For their part, Determine Girls FC was crowned as Champions for the female version of the super cup three days after winning West Africa Football Union Zone A Caf women’s champions league.
They came from a goal down to beat Ambassadors FC 3-1 from Ruth Wesseh’s double and Guinea’s Bountou Sylla’s lone goal having had a difficult moment when Decontee Jackson put Ambassadors FC ahead.
Determine Girls FC is now the most decorated Liberian football club in the last two years, winning the league back of back, a Petro Trade Cup, super cup, and CAF women’s WAFU champions league Zone A and also qualified them to participate in CAF Energies Champions League in Morocco 2023.
