Monrovia- Newly appointed Bea Mountain Football Club coach Tapha Manneh has declared that his aim this season is to win the Liberia Football Association First Division League title.
By: Christopher C Walker [email protected]
Bea Mountain have not won the first division title since they got promoted to the first division over five seasons but Tapha is determined to bring the trophy to the Grand Cape Mount County base club.
The Gambian, who has taken over the reins from Robert Lartey who resigned his post at the start of the second phase last season, does not want to settle for a second-place finish as coaches before him did. He believes a club like Bea Mountain should not be afraid to have bold ambitions as they prepare to embark on a new campaign.
Tapha , who has started strengthening his squad with the acquisition of players, said they have the kind of players to challenge for the championship.
“We feel that we are a candidate to win the title. We know that others have the same ambitions as us.It’s little bit tough because change is not easy, especially a team like Bea Mountain for the past five years since the club was founded they have not won a key national trophy but usually end the league in the second position for the last two to three seasons.”
“Right now, everyone at Bea Mountain has no other option but to win the championship, so it’s not really easy, there are lot of pressure,” he said.
He said if the league had started September 4 he would have had a bad start to the league but with the LFA extending the opening to October he is confident that they can challenge and win the league this season.
“To be true to you there is a lot of pressure. Everyone is anticipating us winning the league because I am a good coach and taking over the team I need to produce something for the management that is our aim to produce something.”
Manneh has identified the striking position at Bea Mountain as the area of concern because, according to him, there is only one striker he has now and there is a need for additional strikers if his team should compete and win the league.
The former LISCR FC coach said he is satisfied with the other positions of the team but is open to bringing in players to help beef up the team and make it a title contender. “The way the players are responding is excellent. They are doing very well and are happy to see me around them so I can help them grow in their careers.”
Manneh, who won the first Division League, the FA Cup and the Super Cup with LISCR FC, disclosed that three Nigerian players are currently training with Bea Mountain and will see if they can meet up to his demand.
“It’s possible to challenge for the title because the kind of players we have they can challenge for the league. Is difficult for Bea Mountain to set a target because the club have already set the target for themselves, whoever is coming as coach you need to win the championship for them.”
Manneh has signed a two-year deal with Bea Mountain and will begin his job with the 2014/2025 league season.
