After the second round of games, Nimba has now secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Liberia National County Sports Meet. Meanwhile, football’s defending champions, Montserrado, picked up their first three points in the tournament.
Nimba’s football and kickball teams continued their perfect start in Group B after winning their second games of the tournament. The Mountaineers’ football team ensured they secured a place in the quarterfinals with a convincing 3-0 win over Lofa.
Samira Football Club striker Peter Bleedi was the star of the day by scoring twice to help Nimba prevent Lofa from even getting a point. Bleedi’s braces and Pee Weh’s lone goal were enough to see Nimba collect all three points. From two games, the Mountaineers are now standing at the top of Group B with six points.
Like the football team, the kickball team booked their place in the quarterfinals after a 4-3 win over Lofa. Group B’s host, Bong, saw its chances of reaching the quarterfinals halted after being held to a goalless draw by Grand Gedeh. The Kpatawee Boys are now second in Group B with four points and will need at least a point against Nimba on the final day of group games to reach the quarterfinals.
Bong’s kickball team bounced back from their 6-3 loss to Lofa to record an 8-1 victory over Grand Gedeh.
Group A’s host, Sinoe, collected their first victories in the competition after bouncing back from defeats on the opening day. The football team secured a 2-1 win over River Gee. The Greenville Boys lost their opening match 1-0 against Grand Kru before bouncing back to victory over River Gee.
Adolphus Tarpeh and Koffie Browne scored the goals to give head coach Korvah Kollie his first three points over River Gee, which got its lone goal through Salinsa Brid. Like the football team, the kickball squad recorded its first win with a narrow 5-4 win over River Gee.
The search for a win continues for last year’s losing finalist, Maryland, which was held to a draw by Grand Kru. The Cape Palmers almost escaped with victory but Eric Zayzay rescued a point for Grand Kru after Kelvin Allison had given Maryland the lead.
With two points from two games, Maryland currently sits third in the group, a point behind second-placed Sinoe and two points behind group leaders, Grand Kru. Maryland will have to win their final game against Sinoe if they are to reach the quarterfinals.
While Maryland’s football team is struggling to book a place in the quarterfinals, their kickball team has already secured their place in the last eight. After beating River Gee 8-3, they grabbed their second win over Grand Krua, with 4-1.
The defending football champions, Montserrado got their campaign back on track with a comeback win over River Cess. After a 1-0 defeat to Grand Bassa on the opening day, the Cestos Boys were determined to grab their first three points. Winston Gray gave River Cess the lead before Montserrado got the score leveled through Sebastian Tuclar. Bight Tulo secured the three points for the football champions with a late winner as their football campaign got back on track.
Montserrado’s kickball team bounced back from their defeat to Margibi with a humiliating 9-0 thrashing of River Cess. The girls will be hoping to secure a place in the quarterfinals on the final day of the group stage when they play Grand Bassa.
Grand Bassa, the host of Group C, risks not qualifying to the quarterfinals after being held to a goalless draw by Margibi. Grand Bassa won their first match 1-0 against River Cess before the draw against Margibi. They are tied on points with Montserrado at four points each. Both clubs will need just a point in their last group game when they meet each other.
Meanwhile, there was no winner between Grand Bassa’s and Margbi’s kickball teams after both failed to make a home-run after 12 innings. A rematch has been scheduled for a later date.
Unfortunately for Group D’s host, Grand Cape Mount, their journey to the quarterfinals was put on hold by Bomi that pulled out with a 2-0 win. Amara Pelleh and Joe Quoi scored the goals for Bomi to dump Grand Cape Mount. A win or draw for Bomi over Gbarpolu on the last day of group matches will bring smiles to Cape Mount that will go through with three points at the second position in the group.
As with the Margibi and Grand Bassa kickball game, there was also no winner between Bomi and Gbarpolu as the game was postponed to a later date.
Football Group Standings:
Abbreviations Meanings: Pos. – Position, P- Play, W- Win, D- Draw, L- Loss, GF- Goal For, GA- Goal Against, GD- Goal Deposit, Pts. – Points
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
