MONROVIA – Blanco FC and LPRC Oilers have won the maiden edition of President George Manneh Weah’s Cup.
Blanco defeated league and knockout champions Earth Angels 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) on Friday.
It was a good measure of revenge for Blanco, who lost the league and knockout titles and last season’s Super Cup to Angels.
First division defending champions Oilers left it late to beat Monrovia Club Breweries 1-0 in the male category after a goalless first half.
Mitis Mulbah had Breweries’ best chance, having beaten goalie Prince Wlame, with only a marker at his disposal but he failed to convert unarguably their best chance.
And second half substitute Augustine Otu capitalized on a lapse in defense to head home the winner.
President Weah, Sports Minister Zeogar Wilson, Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, State without Portfolio Minister Trokon Kpui, Presidential Affairs Minister Nathaniel McGill, Deputy Sports Minister Andy Quamie, Liberia Football Association President Mustapha Raji, LFA Vice Presidents Sekou Konneh and Wilmot Smith and Executive Committee members Pepci Yeke and Pawala Janyan watched the finals.
The chief patron then took the close-up kick between Oilers and Breweries and later presented the cups and symbolic checks to Blanco captain Lucy Massaquoi and Oilers captain Ebenezer Solo respectively before departing the ATS.
Each team received US$250 for the first round, US$300 for the quarter-finals, US$400 for the semi-finals and US$500 for the grand-final.
Oilers received US$2,500 and Blanco pocketed US$1,500 plus gold-plated trophies while Breweries and Earth Angels were decorated with silver medals respectively.
Wilmot, who chaired the organizing committee, commended all teams and fans for the level of support shown during the tournament.
He also thanked the executive committee for the privilege and his committee for their tireless efforts.
Line-ups
Blanco FC: 4-Amanda Powo, 5-Marie Flomo, 6-Agatha Nimene, 7-Love Kofa, 8-Jeneba Koroma, 9-Wuyah Mohia, 10-Famata Kargbo, 12-Jarietu Kamara, 13-Alice Koroma, 19-Lorpu Forkpah and 21-Lucy Massaquoi.
Substitutes: 1-Asatu Dulleh, 2-Elizabeth Williams, 3-Cynthia Paye, 11-Winnie Dorbah, 14-Bendu Kloty, 17-Hawa Kpan and 18-Belinda Pennoh. Head coach Weah Diggs, assistant coach Prince Duapay and team manager Eddie Gbelly.
Earth Angels: 2-Aminata Bellon, 4-Francisca Howe, 7-Adama Kangbo, 8-Erica Parson, 9-Kantie Sayee, 10-Margaret Steward, 11-Rashidatu Kamara, 12-Kadiatu Kamara, 14-Hawanatu Conteh, 15-Joseph Kaiwine, 16-Massa Konneh (goalie and captain).
Substitutes: 1-Princess Washington, 3-Rebecca Tarr, 5-Nancy Vah, 6-Regina Nyanfore 13-Tetee Doe, 17-Alice Savice and 18-Jessica Donyen. Head coach Lawrence Hne, assistant coach Ernest Chero and medic Rebecca Gweah.
Officials: match commissioner Kahn S. Kaba, referee Sylvina Garnett, first assistant John Fallah, second assistant Andrew P. Wallace, reserve referee Yatta L. Shilling and statistician Sheleton Kamara
