Isha Johansen’s surprised visit receives heroic welcome, as FC Johansen humbles East End Lions in a thrilling performance

Freetown | 9th January 2023 | Vertex Media

At the Lungi Playing Field, in Lungi Kaffu Bullom, FC Johansen humbled East End Lions FC in a goalless draw in the Sierra Leone Premier League on Sunday. A depleted Johansen squad put up a brilliant performance against a formidable Lions squad.

Johansen had to play the match without 4 loaned players from E.E Lions, in addition to sick and injured Johansen players. The technical team had to bring in reserved players to form part of the squad.

The beautiful match was marred by poor and inconsistent officiating from match officials. A key example was the sending off of both Lions the early moment of the match, after the Johansen midfielder was brutally elbowed off-the-ball by his Lions counterpart. Everyone, including Lions supporters expected the referee to show a red card to only Mahrez, but they were stunned when Bilili was also sent off, while bleeding from the injuries he sustained. Bilili’s red card was however withdrawn after the match, but the Johansen’s midfielder missed the rest of the match.

***Isha Johansen with the FC Johansen squad***

Another example of inconsistent and poor officiating was a Lions’ defender handled an across ball from Lamin Conteh in the six yard box, around the 80th minute of play. FC Johansen was also denied the penalty call by the central referee.

All of the above decisions by the officials, cost Johansen a well deserved victory.

**FCJ midfielder, Santhawahaj Bangura receiving the Man Of The Match award from the Kaffu Bullom ‘Mamie Queen’**

A dominant performance from FC Johansen saw the crowning of Mohamed Santhawahaj Bangura, popularly known as Messi, as the Man Of The Match. The Johansen’s attacking midfield maestro was running the show, creating chances and causing turbulence for the Lions’ defense.

Meanwhile, a key highlight of the day, was the presence of the FIFA Council Member, who doubles as the founder of FC Johansen. Madam Isha Johansen made a surprise visit to Lungi to watch her team (FC Johansen) play against her childhood club (East End Lions).

Isha was given a heroic welcome by the people of Kaffu Bullom and football enthusiasts. Her presence at the match was highly felt and brought some sanity into the match, especially when the opposing team started a skirmish. She swiftly calmed down the situation. The global football administrator was very much impressed with the performance of her boys, under the prevailing circumstances.

**Isha Johansen presenting a gift to the Kaffu Bullom local authorities**

Her first half team talk inspired the young Johansen squad (Dream Chasers) to put up a brilliant performance against the Lions (The Killers).

Also present at the match, were top officials from the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) – including Christopher Kamara, General Secretary and Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, Director of Competition.