BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – The Liberia National County Meet officially kicked off on Dec. 12, with no wins for any of the four host counties.
Bassa, Margibi, Nimba and Grand Gedeh might have been the tournament’s favorites, but lessons handed out by underrated counties have sent a strong warning to fans across the country.
In the opening match at the Doris William Sports Stadium in Buchanan, the defending football champions Bassa were defeated 2-0 by 2008 winners Bong.
The game produced many fireworks, but it was Bong who became victorious at the sound of the final whistle.
Grand Bassa football team. Photo: T. Kla Wesley Jr.
Bassa nearly scored the first goal of the tournament in the 2nd minute of the first half, but William Freeman failed to convert a low cross from David Paye. Despite the early miss, Bassa continued to mount pressure on Bong for the first 20 minutes but were shut down by a well-composed Bong defense.
Bong took control of the other 20 minutes in the half but squandered many clear chances. Both counties failed to utilize their scoring opportunities as the first half ended goallessly.
Back from the break, Bassa again started well, with well-coordinating football and creating more opportunities to score, however, they failed to score.
Baruch Barnard got the first goal of the tournament after a powerful finish in the 88th minute to put Bong ahead.
With two minutes to go before the sound of the final whistle, Bassa had to level the score to prevent themselves from embarrassment in front of their home fans. Unfortunately, Bong put the game out of reach with a second goal. Emmanuel Wlame capitalized on a mistake from the Bassa defense to strike in stoppage time.
In the second football match in Group 1, River Gee started on an excellent note with an emphatic 1-0 win over Sinoe.
Margibi, the 2013 football champions, suffered the biggest casualty after being whipped by Monsterrado 3-1 at the Nancy B. Doe stadium.
Margibi’s football team. Photo: T. Kla Wesley Jr.
Group 4 host Margibi took the lead in the 25th minute, but Monsterrado leveled the score six minutes later. Then, the score remained 1-1 until the end of the first half.
In the closing stages of the second half, Bright Tarlu doubled Monsterrado’s lead in the 88th minute before Daniel Trazamah added their third goal in the stoppage time.
Montserrado’s football team. Photo: T. Kla Wesley Jr.
At the other venue in Sanniquellie, Nimba, the host forced Maryland to a 1-1 draw, while Bomi beat Grand Cape Mount, 2-1.
Scores for round one of the national county meet football matches.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
