MONROVIA – For thirteen match day, Watanga FC moved through the Liberia National Football League like an unstoppable force, brushing aside challengers and amassing 32 points from a possible 36. But on Tuesday, December 16, that finally hit a roadblock.
By: Christopher C. Walker (0777898224/0886723075 | [email protected]
In a high-stakes encounter that marked the end of the league’s first phase, Coach Keatu Smith’s LPRC Oilers secured a 2-1 victory, handing the league leaders their first defeat of the season and shattering their dreams of an “invincible” first half.
The Fatigue Factor
While the Oilers deserve credit for their tactical discipline, Watanga head coach Theophilus Geekor pointed to a different opponent that hindered his side the grueling logistics of Liberian football during the National County Sports Meet season.
Speaking to FrontPage Africa after the final whistle, Geekor revealed that the “Oil Boys” capitalized on a squad that was physically spent.
With five key players away on County Meet duty and others rushing back from long-distance travels to make the kickoff, the spark that usually defines Watanga was missing.
“We didn’t create many chances today to score. We fought and did our best, but maybe it wasn’t enough on the night,” Geekor admitted.
“Several players traveled long distances from County Meet duty to play the match; they were not fully fit because they didn’t get enough rest.”
“Broken, But This Is Football”
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for a team that had gone 13 games without a blemish. Geekor did not hide his disappointment, describing the locker room mood as “broken” after failing to cross the finish line of the first phase unscathed.
“On the last day of the first phase we lost, which makes us broken, but this is football,” he said. Despite the heartbreak, the coach praised the character of his squad for maintaining their lead at the top of the table throughout the season’s opening half.
A Defiant Promise for Phase Two
Rather than dwelling on the loss, Geekor issued a stern warning to the rest of the league. With the second phase on the horizon, he is already weighing squad rotations including potential new signings and releasing players who haven’t seen much playing time to ensure the unbeaten regains its momentum.
“Trust me, in the second phase we are going to start with new and more energy,” Geekor told FrontPage Africa with a sense of defiance.
“Take my word to the bank: we will not underperform. We will show class in the second phase, even more than what we did in the first.”
Appeal to the Fans
As the team heads into the break, Geekor urged the Watanga faithful to maintain perspective.
“Don’t be disappointed in the result, but look back at the team’s performance from game one,” he urged. “Losing just one game while remaining leaders of the league is something they must be proud of.”
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