Big money spenders East End Lions defeated Mighty Blackpool by one goal to nil in a pulsating encounter witnessed by a record breaking crowd at the Siaka Stevens Stadium on Sunday, 27th January, 2019.
Indeed, football has come to life in a land where hopes of our footballers were almost down the drains.
Sunday’s opening ceremoney was an assertion by thousands of football fans at the national Stadium who appreciates the clear manifestation of government’s efforts and the total commitment by the premier league board as a swift response to get the game back to the stadium.
The event was also an extreme moment of elation for every Sierra Leonean as we needed to awake our sense of pride and ownership of our country’s football, thereby sacrificing our personal ego for the betterment of all.
The match between Mighty Blackpool and East End Lions have sent a strong signal to the world at large including football’s world governing body, FIFA, that the country is willing and ready to get the ball rolling.
The government of Sierra Leone through the dynamic leadership of his Excellency Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, gave their word and Sierra Leoneans responded overwhelmingly.
East End Lions are winners in the match classified as the fiercest rivalry witnessed in the history of the nation’s football despite an unconvincing 1-0 win against Mighty Blackpool.
Coach of East End Lions, John Keister, concurred that his team wasn’t the best in terms of possession but believes, getting all three points was more vital for his crop of young boys.
“The boys have not been together and are only trying to get used to each other“, the Killers trainer intimates.
Debutant Alhassan Koroma’s goal in the 22nd minute settled the tie after experienced striker, Issac Davies (Tatao) was denied by E E Lions goalkeeper from several attempts.
Coach Abu Sankoh (Short Abu), accepted his players missed opportunities in front of goa but further applauded them for their over all performance in the course of the ninety minutes.
FC Kallon will be guests in Bo City for a crunch time opening match against the Kakua Rangers of Bo on Friday, 1st February and the Eastern derby takes center stage the very evening in the Eastern City of Kenema as Kamboi Eagles takes on Diamond Stars from the Diamond rich Kono district.
©PLB Media
