MONROVIA, Monsterrado – The aim of the Liberia National County Meet has always been to forge a national unity and to foster reconciliation. That has been a different case this year with the amount of controversy that has surrounded football’s defending champion Grand Bassa.

The host of Group A, Bassa kicked off the tournament on a gloomy note after conceding two late goals as the team lost to Bong back in December. Bassa needed a win in its second group match to ease pressure from home fans.

In that match, the official disallowed a goal from Sinoe which was already down by a goal. The decision did not go well with Sinoe and invited in chaos. Players and team officials from the Sinoe bench rushed the pitch and interrupted the play. The match was suspended.

As a result of the commotion, Sports Minister Eugene Nagbe awarded Bassa three points and two goals while seven players of Sinoe, along with four team officials, including an assistant superintendent were expelled from the tournament.

Sports Minister Eugene Nagbe. Photo: T. Kla Wesley, Jr

With the free 3 points awarded, Bassa needed a win against River Gee in its final group game to make the quarterfinals. In the final group match, Bassa secured a 1-0 win over River Gee and set up a quarterfinals clash with Nimba, which had finished at the top of Group B.

In a match that was played within the period of two days, both Nimba and Bassa failed to score in the full 90 minutes and the extra 30 minutes as the match went to penalty kicks where Bassa defeated Nimba 4-2.

After the match, Nimba filed a protest against Bassa, on grounds that Bassa featured illegal players, including a national team player who should not participate in the competition. Things looked set to go Nimba’s way following the hearings. The protest committee ruled that the match should be replayed. Following the announcement, Bassa appealed against the ruling and the result was announced less than two hours before the replayed match.

Announcing the results, the chairman of the Appeals Board Nagbe said Grand Bassa did not do anything wrong as was reported by Nimba. Nagbe noted that Nimba did not file a protest in keeping with the rules of the tournament. The Appeals Board declared that all four players of Grand Bassa who were in question were eligible to compete.

Bassa proceeded to play its game against Bong. On Jan. 15 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium, James Kpoto struck in the 80th minute from a penalty rebound as Bassa narrowly whipped Bong and progressed to the finals where the team will have to battle out Monsterrado to defend the title.

Once again, it was a match of confusion that had players and coaches of Bong County running onto the pitch to attack center referee Alvin Dixon, who allowed a goal believed to be a foul on Bong goalkeeper, Lincoln Gbeader.

Bong Players Attack Center Referee Alvin Dixon. Photo: T. Kla Wesley, Jr.

Despite the controversial win, Bassa was the better side in the match as the team had seven shots on target with star player David Paye contributing four of the target shots.

The two teams had chances within the first half but neither was able to get a goal, and the first half ended.

The most exciting moment of the game came in the 79th minute when Bong defender, Ezau Johnson, under little pressure, brought down Togar Koffa in his penalty area, leaving referee Alvin Dixon with little option but to award the penalty.

Bruch Bernard took responsibility of the kick but missed it, and James Kpoto scored the rebound. The goal resulted in chaos as Bong players and coaches believed Kpoto had fouled Gbeader while getting the ball to the net.

For the second time in this year’s competition, players and team officials invaded the pitch to protest the referee’s decision and the game halted for seven minutes.

With the match resuming in the 87th minute, the match officials awarded three minutes of added time, giving Bong six minutes to level the score. However, Bong was unable to get a goal until the final whistle and Bassa was eventually declared the winner.

Bassa head coach, Daniel Bayorgar commended his players after the match and said his team was the better side despite the drama and has vowed to win against Monsterrado.

Bassa head coach Daniel Baryorgar. Photo by T. Kla Wesley, Jr.

“We created more chances and had more shots on target,” Bayorgar said. “For the fact that we lost our opening game of the competition to Bong county, we knew this match was a difficult one but we were optimistic for a win. The match is over and we are now contemplating on the final with Monsterrado. We are expecting a tough match but I can assure you that we will win and retain our trophy. Monsterrado has a very good team but we are not afraid of them.”

Bong county head Coach, Cooper Sannoh expressed his frustration over the referee’s decision and threatened not to honor the third place match against Lofa county. He further noted that the organizers had been favoring Bassa from the start of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Bassa’s kickball team were thrown out of the county meet after being whooped by Nimba 8-6. Nimba will play Margibi in the final.

Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley, Jr.