Sierra Leone clubs fail to impress in continental club competitions

Both of Sierra Leone's clubs in the CAF Champions' League and Confederation Cup competitions failed to win against their Guinean and Camerounian counterparts on Saturday. In a match in Freetown that was dominated by the visitors, Ports Authority drew goalless against Horoya Athletic of Guinea, while FC Kallon lost 1-0 to Union Sportive Douala of Cameroon.

Ports Authority coach, Christian Cole blamed his side's draw in the preliminary round of the 16^th CAF Champions League first leg on Donald Wellington (aka KorBorKorBoh) for missing a penalty in the 27^thminute. “He is solely responsible for this result and he is contented with that” he said, and asked “with this type of performance will you blame the Coach?”

Barring missing the penalty, Wellington’s performance was brilliant throughout the match. However coach Cole ignored that and honed in on his spot kick miss. The penalty had been awarded for a foul on Muwahid Sesay by Horoya goalkeeper Abdoulaye Sylla. Wellington’s feeble spot kick was saved by Sylla who, guessing correctly, dived to his left and pushed the ball away with his left hand. The striker twice tried to make amends but with timid shots Sylla did not sweat to save.

Speaking to Politico after the match he said the penalty miss was a mistake and promised a win on their return leg next month away in Conakry. “I had a projection for the ball to hit the net, but my calculation was wrong. It was a mistake and I promise to make it right” he said, before reminding all that “it is football”. He admitted that had he converted it to goal it would have been the turning point of the match.

Horoya, who currently lead their domestic league table, were expected to win. And although they dominated the game in the second half they failed to take their chances against a Ports defence that was in jitters. They took several shots on goal for a crucial away win but goalkeeper Abdul Bangura was up to the task in what was an enthralling encounter.

Horoya Coach, Lape Karifory Bangura blamed the result on “bad pitch”, but was generally satisfied vowing to win at home by 1-0 margin.

MATCH OFFICIALS

1. Sy Bouraima –Match Commissioner (Burkina Faso)
2. Bakery Camara- Central Referee (The Gambia)
3. Karamo Forbes - 1^st Asst. Referee (The Gambia)
4. Sulayman Sosseh- 2^nd Asst. Referee (The Gambia)
5. Gibson Gaima -4^th Man (Sierra Leone)

PORTS SQUAD

1. Abdul Bangura (16)
2. Muwahid Sesay (4)
3. Mohamed L. Bangura (17)
4. Alfree Sanu (3)
5. Desmond Wellington (5)
6. Mohamed Jalloh (11)
7. Tapia Fornah (19)
8. Abu Bakarr Mansaray (15)(29)
9. Ayo King (6)
10. Donald Wellignton (10)(21)
11. Foday P. Samura (18)(20)

 SUBS

12. Ibrahim P. Kamara (14)
13. Sheik Umar Kamara (24)
14. Sulaiman Bangura (8)
15. Mohamed Mansaray (29)
16. Dwight Turay (20)
17. Alhassan Sesay (21)
18. Dennis Decker (18)

HOROYA ATHLETIC

1. Abdoulaye Sylla (22)
2. Ben Yousouf Camara (Capt.)(23)
3. Nabylay Yousouf Camara (13)
4. Issaiga Sylla (12)
5. Thiam Mohamed (28)
6. Abdoulaye Aissatta Sylla (27)
7. Ailssyny Kourouma (2)(9)
8. Abraham Sylla (10)
9. Aly Badara Soumah (7)
10. Moussa Kennedy Keita (3)(8)
11. Aly Badara Camara (11)(19)

SUBS

12. Yamoussa Camara (1)
13. Alpha Barry (8)
14. Henry Camara (9)
15. Moussa Samura (4)
16. Ibrahim Sory Camara (20)
17. Idrissa Yansane (19)
18. Mbemba camara (26)