A penalty showdown decided the thrilling 2024 FA Cup final on Saturday evening at the SLFA Kingtom Academy after Bo Rangers and East End Lions FC settled for a 2-2 encounter in regular time.
Ghanaian-born defender Abdul Nyamekye’s 42-minute opener gave East End Lions the lead.
However, their fans’ celebration was short-lived when Idrissa Sesay levelled terms for Bo Rangers, resulting in a one-all scoreline at the break.
The drama intensified when attacking midfielder Ibrahim Turay put Bo Rangers in front 51 minutes into the second half.
Winger Mohamed Forbie calmly converted a penalty and restored parity for East End Lions 2-2 in the 64th minute.
Nigeria-born Netminder Chinedu Anthony Udeh, who is on a season-long loan to Bo Rangers, was the hero in the shootout. He saved two crucial penalties for his side to triumph 4-1.
The 2024 FA Cup victory marks another significant feat achieved by Bo Rangers. They became the first provincial club in Sierra Leone to win a double after being crowned champions of the 2023/24 Leone Rock Premier League in June.
Before their latest achievement, only two capital city-based clubs had won a double: Mighty Blackpool in 1988 and FC Kallon in 2006.
The former Leone Stars trainer, John Edward Keister, who pioneered this milestone with his tactical tweaks, applauded the collaborative effort during the course.
“Very happy for the executive chairman, the executive, the supporters who have made a lot of sacrifices for this club, and most importantly, the players,” he told NewsFeed Sierra Leone.
Keister has won all the last two FA Cup editions in Sierra Leone. He claimed his first trophy in 2016 with FC Johansen following a 1-0 victory against the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
Also in the trophy cabinet of the Manchester-born are two league titles, with the first being at East End Lions in 2019, which he lifted unbeaten, and the 2023 Community Shield won against Mighty Blackpool
While many consider him the most decorated coach in the country, Keister says his motive is to give back to society.
“That’s people’s opinion to say I’m the most decorated coach in SL. I am just here making my meaningful contribution to society, giving back and breaking barriers for these players,” he indicated
During his time with the senior male national team, Keister guided Sierra Leone to the AFCON 2021 edition, which was hosted in Cameroon. This was the country’s third appearance in the continent’s biggest football tournament.