Freetown | 29th April 2021 | Vertex Media
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has unveiled the newly installed FIFA artificial turf at the Kenema Town Field on Wednesday 28th April 2021. The unveiling ceremony proceeds the final match of the inaugural Mano River Football For Peace Tournament hosted in Bo and Kenema Cities respectively, between Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The ceremony was graced by the FIFA Secretary General Madam Fatma Samoura, the SLFA President Madam Isha Johansen, the Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha Raji, Chief Minister of Sierra Leone Prof. David Francis, Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, Director of the National Sports Authority Dr. Kenneth Brima, and a host of other dignitaries.
In her opening statement, the SLFA President Isha Johansen expressed her satisfaction and gratitude to FIFA and partners for the completion of this project. She also expressed her deep connection with Kenema District which spanned over a decade. She assured the audience of the FA’s and FIFA’s continued efforts to develop the game across the country.
The Chief Minister Prof. David Francis thanked FIFA and the SLFA for the kind gesture extended to the people of Kenema, especially the young athletes. He maintained that his government will continue to support Football activities in the country.
Several other speakers lauded the SLFA and FIFA for this great project.
A kickoff ceremony from the FIFA Secretary General Madam Fatma Samoura and the Chief Minister Prof. David Francis climaxed the unveiling ceremony and the commencement of the final match of the maiden edition of the Mano River Football For Peace Trophy between Sierra Leone and Liberia, hosted by the Sierra Leone Football Association in Kenema City.
Despite the heavy storm, the venue was fully packed with Football loving fans. Two second half goals by Alloy Brown gave Liberia a 2-0 victory against Sierra Leone and were eventually crowned Champions of the first edition of the 2021 Mano River Football for Peace Trophy.
The match Referees were from Guinea, while the Match Commissioner came from The Gambia.
On 24th April 2021, the Sierra Leone U-15 held their Liberian counterparts in a 1-1 draw in the opening match of the Mano River Football for Peace Tournament at the Bo Mini Stadium, Bo City. And on the 26th April, the Sierra Leone National Female Team was defeated (3-1) by the Liberian National Female Team by at the Bo Mini Stadium.
Notwithstanding the outcomes of the match, both sides saw this tournament as an opportunity to assess and prepare their teams for their upcoming competitions. It is also an opportunity to build strong bond and ties among countries in the Mano River Union.
In a nutshell, the tournament was a success. Other Mano River Union members like Guinea and Ivory Coast have expressed interests to participate in the next edition.
Ibrahim Sorious Samura
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