By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
The Head Coach of FC Kallon, Amidu Karim has said that the team will build their title challenge on the back of their latest success in the Challenge Cup. Karim told Politico shortly after beating East End Lions 1-0 to win the first edition of the Challenge Cup on Sunday.
That encounter at the National Stadium was the curtain raiser for the new Premier League season in Sierra Leone. East End Lions, the league champions, came into this game as heavy favorites after beating FC Kallon twice last season.
“This win will help us by boosting our confidence for the season ahead. Everyone knows that last season we lost to East End Lions twice, so winning today shows that we can be better this season,” Karim said.
On Sunday, FC Kallon had to alter style of play to contend with the Lions. They added brawl to their beauty. Karim said they had been working on the physical level of the team for a while. He said that was one tactic that won them the game.
Karim said: “We have watched all the games we have played against Lions and they are very aggressive when playing us. So, we work on that this week, to go very hard and physical on them. That gave us the edge over them today.”
The coach said physicality will be part of their game this season. Last season FC Kallon struggled against sides that were physical. Karim said this new approach will be used based on the opposition they are playing.
“We will adopt and change our style of play according to the team we face. If we know the team is very physical, we won’t go soft, so we are going to go both ways (physical and soft). So, what we applied today against Lions is physicality,” he said.
Asked whether FC Kallon will aim for the title this season, Karim replied: “Everyone knows that we have always chased the championship to make our fans happy. This season the aim remains the same, to chase and win the title.”
FC Kallon start their league campaign on Sunday when they face a rejuvenated Old Edwardian side.
Like FC Kallon, Old Edwardians have also defeated Lions in a pre-season gala this season.
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