Monrovia – A stellar performance from Varney Sando helped Invincible Eleven (IE) secure a memorable 2-1 victory over LPRC Oilers in the Liberia Football Association First Division League, marking their third win of the season and further diminishing Oilers’ faint title hopes.
By Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
Sando, making his debut for IE after transferring from Watanga, was the standout player as he stunned his former club, LPRC, with a brilliant display at the Samuel K. Doe Stadium practice pitch on the resumption of the national league.
It took just 10 minutes for Sando to announce his arrival, scoring the opening goal to give IE an early advantage.
The lead came as a crucial boost for IE, as they held their ground against a strong Oilers side that had previously been favored to win the match.
After an Oilers goal was ruled out for offside in the 24th minute, the hosts doubled their lead minutes later with a strike from Kenneth Nah.
IE dominated possession for much of the first half, surprising many fans and pundits who had expected a different outcome. However, just before halftime, the Oilers managed to pull a goal back, leaving the score 2-1 at the break.
Despite mounting pressure in the second half, LPRC Oilers struggled to find the equalizer. Their attackers were unable to convert key chances, while the situation worsened when two defenders, Emmanuel Wakaso and Musa Saysay, were sent off for consecutive yellow cards.
Despite their numerical advantage, IE failed to capitalize further, with the match ending 2-1 in their favor.
This win marks IE’s third victory in 16 matches, which also includes six draws and seven defeats.
Despite spending much of the season in the relegation zone, the Yellow Boys are now fighting to avoid relegation and will see this victory as a significant morale booster.
For LPRC Oilers, the loss marked a second consecutive defeat, bringing a sudden downturn to their once-promising season.
After an impressive start, the Oilers were seen as serious title contenders but now find themselves slipping down the table.
Following the match, Muctarr Fofana, head coach of LPRC, expressed disappointment with the result, highlighting that the team’s management had done everything in its power to support the squad. “We will have to reset,” Fofana said. “I just don’t know why our form has dropped recently.”
On the other hand, IE’s head coach, Kelvin Sebwe, was thrilled with the win, acknowledging its importance for the club’s survival in the league. “We’re fighting to stay in the league, and to get a win like this against LPRC is a massive boost for us,” Sebwe said. “We started the second half of the season with two defeats, so this victory was crucial for us.”
In other league action, Fassell FC came from behind to secure a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bea Mountain FC, maintaining their lead at the top of the table.