By Kemoh Sesay
Malcolm Football Club were crowned champions of the 2013 Central One Football Association (COFA) non-division league on Sunday 22nd September when they defeated Same Face FC on post game penalties, after a 1-1 full time score.
Same Face took the lead in the 75th minute after a swift cross from the right opening the way for Ralph Williams to head home from close range.
Malcolm FC leveled matters in the 89th minute from an Hector Sow free kick from 25yards beating the defensive wall and hitting the cross bar and causing a headed goal by Mustapha Dumbuya.
In the penalty shoot-out, Mohamed Conteh of Same Face had his shot saved by goalkeeper Unisa Bangura bringing the match to 5-4 in Malcolm FC’s favour.
The winning Coach Ishmail Mammah said he was “overjoyed” for winning the championship for the very first time in their history. He said his boys were “very impressive in all the matches they played, and credit should be given to the entire technical team and the executive as well”.
Asked about his team conceding the first goal after wasting a lot of chances, he plied ‘’I was shocked and dismayed but I urged my boys to press hard because we were on top of ball possession…the equalizer came at the right time and we were excited about it”.
Coach AlusineKargbo of Same Face was disappointed at losing the match to their arch rivals, ‘’we took the lead but my defenders failed to coordinate well in the defensive area as the last touch of the match yielded dividend for Malcolm… that equalizer affected our chances psychologically ahead of the penalty shoot-out’’.
Awards were also given to deserving players in the entire competition including; Best player Ralph Williams of Same Face, Best midfielder Gibrill Deen aka (Kay D) of Malcolm FC, Best Coach Ishmael Mammah aka Coach Figo of Malcolm FC, Best Goal Keeper Ebu Robin Coker of Same FC, Best Defender IssaKamara of Area Best, Highest Goal Scorer Tejan Bangura of Mount Aureol (PGS) with four goals.
The winners Malcolm FC received a cash prize of five million Leones and the Runners while Same FC got two million Leones.
(C) Politico 24/09/13
