By Mohamed Vandi in Kenema
Fans of Kamboi Eagles football club in Kenema, are celebrating their team's capture of this year's FA cup after defeating favourites East End Lions from Freetown by 3 goals to 2 at the Bo stadium last weekend.
The fans were packed in a fleet of cars and on hundreds of motorbikes about seven miles outside Kenema at a place called Bandama Checkpoint where they received they returning heroes before driving into the town.
The Mayor of Kenema Joseph Samba Keifala described their team's performance as "impressive and the victory is for the people of Kenema district and the eastern region at large". He said "the team has great potential to improve" and pledged his "continuous support to ensuring the team becomes formidable".
Public Relations Officer Ishmeal Sesay said the Eagles "restored its past glory because we last won the FA cup over thirty (30) years ago". Sesay said the turnout at the match was fantastic because "a large number of our fans traveled to Bo, to boost the spirit of our team".
In the match itself, the first goal was scored by Kamboi Eagles through Amadu Barrie Aka Pa Barrie in the early hours of the second half, but Lions Abdul Bundu Aka Embalm equalized in stoppage of the first half. Usman Kamara of Loins was then sent off from for taking off his shorts while celebrating their first goal.
Both teams were tied 1-1 at full time. Another East End Lions player, Foday Samura was also sent off in second half of the extra time for violent conduct, reducing western area team to nine (9) players.
The head of East End Lions agreed with Politico that a "loss of discipline by my players at different points in the match is partly responsible for our defeat", coupled with "poor officiating". He said there were "question marks about the first goal". Christian Cole said "we will now move on from here".
171 teams took part in the tournament under a 200 million leone sponsorship by cement maker, LEOCEM. Winners Kamboi Eagles went away with 20 million leones runners up East End Lions got 10 million leones. The tournament lasted three months.
(C) Politico 27/05/14
