By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
FC Johansen Football Club on 4th November 2022 won one of the biggest pre-season tournaments (Manager Salim And Gento Preseason Gala) at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown, after defeating Freetown City FC (FCFC) 7-6 in the final on post-match penalties.
This highly contested tourney featured eight (8) top-flight clubs (of the Sierra Leone Premier League), including East End Tigers FC, Freetown City FC, East End Lions FC, Real Republicans FC, FC Johansen, Freetonians SLIFA, Luangwa Luawa FC, and Central Parade FC.
FC Johansen, who is now preparing for the forthcoming season, following reforms in the squad, used this just-concluded tournament to test the depth of their squad, by giving more opportunities to the newly included young talents.
Abu Bakarr Bah the Assistant coach of FC Johansen Football club said they have as a club to be crowned Champions of the Gala Competition, as it is a result of hard work from the team and they have been in preparations for the past two now, and with this result, they are going to work on improving the other departments that are yet to be fixed up ahead of the new season.
He affirmed that the Victory of the team is not surprising as they have been working on it, they started the Gala with a strong mind frame, and the club defeated the Freetonians Football Club and defeated Central Parade Football with the results in the final against Freetown City Council Football has given a boost to the squad as they brace up for the Sierra Leone Premier League. Noting that the sides they defeated in the post Penalty shot out have a strong team,
“We have been working hard for the past two months on tactical areas in the pitch of play, bringing in new players and trying to incorporate them into the squad to get a balanced team ahead of the new season, he called on the Fans of FC Johansen to rally behind the team as the players have ready to compete for the new season.
Patrick Bangura the head coach of Freetown City Council Football Club said as far as he is concerned post-game penalty match the lucky side carries the day and better luck to his team as FC Johansen was the lucky side in the shot out, nothing that he learned something new in the match from his sides the flounces, movement, tactics, and coordination of the team throughout the full ninety minutes.
He further that the performance of the team is certified with what he saw in the boys in the Gala competition although they are yet to get the full squad ahead of the new Campaign, the Management of Freetown City Council has promised to do some additions to the present squad before the Premier League starts in the Country.
The Sierra Leone Premier League is set to knock start on 18th November 2022 across the country.