Monrovia – Watanga FC on Sunday, April 7, 2024, was crowned champions of the 2023/2024 Liberia Football Association first division league for the second time in the club’s history. The boys of Watanga, who clinched the title with two games to spare by defeating defending champions LISCR FC 1-0 midweek, were honored with a guard of honor during the Paynesville derby against Paynesville FC on Sunday, April 7, at the Samuel K Doe Sports Complex Practice Pitch. The mouth-watering encounter ended in a victory for the champions.
By: Christopher C Walker [email protected]
Paynesville FC, in their debut season in the top flight of Liberian football, sought to stun the champions, but Watanga proved their supremacy and secured all three points. The match was a captivating affair, with the first half ending 1-1. However, after the interval, Watanga demonstrated why they deserved the championship title.
Chauncy Freeman scored a brace in the second half, with assists from Varney Sando and Emmanuel Sieh, sealing a comfortable 3-1 win for Watanga FC and further enhancing the celebrations of their crowning ceremony. The result dealt a significant blow to Paynesville FC’s aspirations of finishing as runners-up.
Watanga FC will now represent Liberia in the CAF Champions League for the second time, marking their third appearance in CAF competitions.
Earlier at the SKD Practice Pitch, the 2024 Classic U-15 Academy League and Talent Development Scheme (TDS) in Montserrado concluded on Sunday, April 7, with Tebeh Football Academy being crowned champions. Tebeh finished the league seven points ahead of runners-up Ansu Football Academy and also swept all the individual awards. Certificates of participation were presented to each of the 12 participating teams in the grassroots league.
AWARDS
🔹MVP – Ralph Weah
🔹Best Goalkeeper – Thomas Yarl
🔹Best Defender– Prince Smith
🔹Best Midfielder— Anthony Gweah
🔹Best Coach- – Christian Mends
🔹Highest Goal Scorer- Roland Kilima
🔹Fair Play Team- Legacy Football Academy