MONROVIA, Monsterrado – Liberia’s international right-back Solomon Grimes might have suffered a setback after the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire smashed Liberia out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. However, in a turn of fortune, the 28-year-old defender has started to enjoy success at the club level.
The Cypriot first division football league resumed over the weekend after the FIFA international break. Seven matches were played across the country. Among those winning teams was Solomon Grimes’ club Nea Salamis, which got a 2-0 win away at 11th place AEL Limassol.
After a brilliant display in the opening 20 minutes, Nea Salamis took the lead in the 28th minute through Kyriakos Pavlou’s superb strike.
Although AEL tried to level the score before the first half break, they were denied twice by Nea Salamis goalkeeper Neophytos Michael. Michael would continue to make brilliant saves throughout the match to prevent Nea Salamis from conceding a goal.
Back from the first half break, AEL continued to mount pressure on Nea Salamis while in search of the equalizer, but their poor finishing touches kept the score 1-0 for the visitors until Spanish forward Pedro Pareja Duque added Nea Salamis’ second of the night in the 50th minute.
Speaking to The Bush Chicken after the match, Grimes expressed his joy for the victory and said he thinks his team can be one of the top three clubs at the end of the 2015-2016 season.
“Honestly, I’m very happy for the win tonight. It was special and very important for the entire team. Now we are moving up and it’s the kind of result any footballer or any team needs,” Grimes said.
Grimes regretted that his team lost a few crucial games this season, but he believes their team spirit can help them continue winning.
The victory pushes Nea Salamis up to sixth on the table with 19 points from 11 games.
Solomon Grimes has played a significant role in Nea Salamis’s success this season. The versatile defender has made eight league appearances and has provided five assists.
Featured photo courtesy of Solomon Grimes
