REFUGEE TEAM
PUNISHES GHANAIAN CLUB
By Bruce Wiah- Liberiansoccer.com
Ghanaian Premier Club Liberty FC yesterday lose to Buduburam FC based
at the Liberia Refugee Camp in Ghana by the score of 2-0.
The game, which was a friendly encounter and the first between the two
clubs, was filled with thrills and attracted a sizeable crowd at the
Buduburam Football pitch.
Featuring a galaxy of brilliant players, it was England-bound Francis
Doe leading the home team who came close to finding the curtain raiser
after ten minutes.
The clever attacker received the ball on the edge of the penalty area,
swirled and twirled between two Liberty defenders but his low angle
drive drilled wide.
Liberty FC with so much familiarity tried to depict the rhythm of the
half using long crosses and artillery pace, but the stubborn defense
of Buduburam FC kept Nii Larbi Darko and teammates at bay.
Meanwhile, the deadlock was finally broken on the half hour mark
through an Amos Kicmett glancing header from a Bokolo Chea cross.
Playing wide on the flank in attack, the lethal attacker soared above
Liberty’s Samuel Lamptey to latch in the curtain raiser from inside
the six-yard box.
Buduburam FC US-based winger, Henrique Collins, could have doubled the
lead, but struck wide from close range few minutes later, while an
Opee Myers volley went dipping over the upright.
The vigilance of Murphy Nagbe, Tubman Johnson, Wisseh Walker and Opee
Myers indicated their determination saved the home team on several
goal attempts. Bokolo Chea and Sylvester Treah in the midfield also
stamped their influence over the Ghanaians.
It was an unusual afternoon for Ben Teekloh of the home team as he was
substituted early in the first half suffering from dyspepsia (stomach
disorder).
Francis Doe playing his first key match after a thigh strain sustained
at the Bescot Stadium while on trial with Walsall FC of England, also
made way for Frank Taylor in the first half.
Liberty launched their trident attack- David Boateng, William Tiero
and Mike Helegbe supported by Nii Larbi Darko in the second half and
grew brighter in confidence.
The strategy nearly cancelled the lead in the 52nd minute, thanks to
Buduburam FC babyish goalie, Peter Segbee.
The visitors 1-2-1-1 combinations very close in the home team goal
area saw a David Boateng grounder parried by the youngster, but
thumped bravely in the path of Mike Helegbe for a final catch.
Sneaky attacker Nyemiah Freeman brought on midway into the second half
had his second touch from the inside of his right foot connecting Amos
Kicmett for the second goal in the 79th minute.
The boneless attacker capitalized on a poor clearance from Felix
Baffoe on the far left flank and was swift with the wall pass on the
edge of the penalty area, which Kicmett cleverly lobbed over stretched
Yaw Bokoe.
Freeman nearly made it 3-0 in the final minute but his right foot shot
from a Veto Sawyer masterminded chip kissed the low post.
After the match, the Deputy Head Coach of Buduburam FC Patrick O’Neal
Julue was a happy man and couldn’t hide his happiness.
“ We’ve demonstrated here today that Liberians too are great
footballers despite our circumstances and we’re proud of our victory
today”.
“ We didn’t play magic to win Liberty FC considering their status as a
Premier Club, we trained with simple and modern football methods and
we’re grateful to the players for their determination”, he told
Liberiansoccer.
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