By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Bo Rangers FC has been crowned Champions of the maiden Leone Rock Community Shields after defeating Mighty Blackpool FC at the Southern Arena Stadium last weekend.
Saturday’s evening cracker which is a build-up to the anticipated Leone Rock Premier League 2023/24 season was hosted at the Southern Arena in Bo City, featuring the reigning unbeaten champions Bo Rangers FC and last season’s runner-up Mighty Blackpool as they battled for the first silverware of the new campaign.
The high-intensity match produced a lot of exciting moments, both teams created several chances, whereas, Abu Komeh’s goal which would have given Bo Rangers the lead in the first half was disallowed and it ended in a stalemate at half-time.
After the recess, Saidu Bah Kamara’s 56-minute header created the difference and helped 10-man Bo Rangers FC to clinch the Leone Rock Community Shield, even though defender Esheik Kamara was sent off in the 67 minutes.
Kabineh Kamara the Assistant Coach of BO Rangers Football Club said as a club they feels excited to lift the first silver-wear of on the new season of Leone Rock Premier League; noting that they played against a difficult opponent that gave the team a tight contest but their maturity and composure help greatly to clinch their first silver-wear of the season.
He affirmed that, though the officiating is bit poor from the officiating team, because most of the decision where against them, which eventually led to red card for one of their experience defender Eishik Kamara. He called on all the fans of BO Rangers FC to rally behind the team for more success in the coming season.
Alusine Bala Kargbo the head Coach of Mighty Blackpool FC said he feels disappointed with the results, appreciated the performance of the as they played outstandingly throughout the entire match.
Kargbo said after conceding the goal the boys decided to pile up more pressure on the defense of the host BO Rangers FC to get the equalizing, as we made several chances. He expressed optimize of winning the upcoming league title as they are going to work on goal scoring opportunities in all their matches in the Leone Rock Premier League.
The maiden Leone Rock Community Shield is the third major title the Elephants have won since the club was founded 69 years ago in 1954, all these achievements have been made under the reign of Babadi Kamara – the current Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers FC, which is based in the country’s second capital Bo City.
High power delegation from the Sierra Leone Football Association Executives were in attendance, the Minister of Sports and some Executive Committee members of the National Sports Authority including the Media were present to grace the epic contest between the two sides.
Meanwhile, the 2023/24 Leone Rock Premier League will kick-start on Friday, November 3, 2023, with two matches; Freetonians SLIFA will welcome Diamond Stars from Kono at Trade Centre, and Real Republicans will play host to Luawa FC at Angola Field.
