By Desmond Tunde Coker
The Inter Community Football League organised by the Central One Football Association COFA commenced on Sunday September 4TH 2022 with the First Lady Fatima Maada Bio taking the kick-off when Summer City locked horns with Fourahbay.
A brace from Summer City’s Momoh Dumbuya was enough to silence the noisy Fourahbay Community. President Bio in collaboration with Gento Group of Companies is sponsoring the tournament that is played at the Parade grounds in Freetown.
The two teams showed good football with accurate passes especially by Summer City spaearheaded by Ghanain born Samuel Bekoe.
The match entertained high personalities such as the First Lady of the country Mrs. Dr. Fatima Bio, Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, Director of Sports and representatives of the 32 participating communities, etc.
Mamoud Dumbuya put Summer City ahead in the first half after a brilliant build-up. Fourahbay community replied swiftly early in the second half from scoring a penalty conceded through a reckless challenge from a Summer City defender. Skipper of Fourahbay Community, Mamoud Fofanah, scored from the penalty spot. Dumbuya got his second at the tail end of the second half to seal the victory for City which takes them to the top of group A with three points.
In her statements marking the commencement of the competition the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio thanked the organizers for organizing the football competition which she emphasised will bring the youth and the nation together. She went on to state that today some of our big stars all pass through these grounds and encouraged footballers and fans to divorce football from violence..
Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh in his statement admonished organizers to select the best referees, and also encouraged them to be aware that the referees are humans.
The Fixture continues today Tuesday, September 5th, 2022 with Murray Tong playing against Peninsular followed by Adonkia playing against Calaba Tong, and on Thursday, September 8th, 2022, Krootown Road will play Moa Wharf.