LISCR, BYC Race May go to the Wire

                      LISCR FC                                                               BYC

By Wleh Bedell
bedellblessing@yahoo.com
 +2316106293

The local premiership may lack the attraction associated with contemporary football but it still has its followers and looks like a two horse race between arguably the two big spenders the competition, LISCR and Barrack Young Controllers (BYC). Both sides quest to reign supreme in the elite stage of the Liberian game look like going to the final day of the season where they will e battling each other.

Champions in last season’s league which many criticized of lacking much competition since it was just one phase, LISCR seem ever determined to win the ongoing league in order to prove their success last season was no fluke as they are yearning to win the top flight contest in a row in silencing their critics who have since brushed aside their feat achieved last season.

But, the last season’s bridesmaid BYC are as well plotting against them as they aim to emerge as winners this term. Ardent followers of the game here insist that both sides are the pace setters and are the teams to watch. Why they might be hoping to outdo each other for the top prize they will however have to respect their opponents who are capable of making them gnash their teeth in regret.

BYC’s shocking 1-2 loss to Frank Jericho Nagbe led NPA Anchors on Wednesday at the ATS is a pointer, and while LISCR may be happy that they are behind their opponents by just a point after their 2-0 drubbing of United Soccer Ambassadors (USA) in Kakata and need a win against Nathaniel Sherman’s Roots FC to eclipse their opponents for top spot, it is still a very long way to go.

With the likes of Mighty Barrolle augmenting their side with a host of players and their rivals Invincible Eleven (IE) as well as LPRC Oilers still having a say in where the championship goes coupled with promising performances from Monrovia Breweries, Jubilee and Fatu, the duo of LISCR and BYC must not start counting their cheeks before they are hatched as anything can happen. How well the two new giants in the local game can fight or be consistent to the end is what remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, many have stressed on the need for the referees to be more professional and avoid bias or what they term cheating in these critical times of the season not just in the top flight but all other levels of the LFA league.

Why it is often said that refereeing the game of football is quite a thankless task and why one would not want to suggest or conclude that “local referees are cheats”, there is a need for them to be on top of their game as the decisive period of the league rages on. Some have complained that there are others who tend to interfere with other clubs matches for their club to be on top, and why such is yet to be proven with everyone hoping on fair play as the hall mark of the beautiful game, the LFA and the Liberia Football Referees Association (LIFRA) must effectively combine forces in being more vigilant at such period in allowing the best side to win void of any foul play.