Monrovia – Heaven Eleven FC sealed their place in the 2025 Betomax Champions Cup final after a dramatic 6-5 penalty shootout win over Global Pharma FC on Wednesday at the Tusa Field, following a gripping 1-1 draw in regulation time.

By: Christopher C. Walker 0777898224/0886723075 christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com

Borough FC started brightly and took the lead in the 31st minute through forward Darius Garmondeh, who calmly slotted past the goalkeeper. Just three minutes later, the Pharmacists whose name is expected to be changed to Borough FC task grew harder when Mark Wesseh was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving them to play the rest of the match with 10 men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage,  Global Pharma defended bravely and looked on course to see out the victory.

But with just two minutes left on the clock, Heaven Eleven found the breakthrough, grabbing an equalizer in the 88th minute through a header from Joel Bloe to force the match into penalties.

In the shootout, Global Pharma FC converted five  of their seven kicks, but Heaven Eleven kept their composure to score six and secure a place in the final, sparking wild celebrations among their players and fans.

The victory sets up a mouthwatering final showdown, with Heaven Eleven awaiting the winner of Bea Mountain vs Freeport FC, the second semifinal to be played on Thursday.

The grand finale will be staged on Sunday, September 7, bringing the curtain down on a tournament that kicked off in early August.

This year’s Betomax Champions Cup carries a $10,000 cash prize for the champions, while the runners-up will take home $5,000. For Global Pharma FC, it was a heartbreaking exit after a spirited performance, made all the more impressive given they battled a man down for nearly an hour.

Heaven Eleven now turn their focus to the grand finale, as they chase their first-ever Betomax Champions Cup crown, while  Global Pharma FC bow out with heads held high after a courageous campaign.

The pharmacists will place the third place match on Sunday afternoon against the loser from Thursday’s game.

According to the organizers the third place team will take home $3500 USD while the fourth place team gets & 3000 USD.

Monrovia – Liberia international defender Prince Balde has returned to his boyhood club Global Pharma FC after six years. Balde, who last played in Iraq, became known in Liberia when he played for the Liberia Football Association First Division side Monrovia Club Breweries FC, which later changed its name to Global Pharma FC. The club announced on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, that the central defender has reunited with his former teammates in a move to help boost the team ahead of the second phase of the LFA First Division league.

A statement from the club said, “We have reached an agreement to sign Prince Balde. Balde is returning to the club 6 years after he departed Liberia to seek greener pastures in Europe.”

According to the club, the Liberian international was a free agent after his time at Al Diwanlyah in Iraq expired, and they signed him for the rest of the season.

The central defender is expected to strengthen the backline of Global Pharma as they kick off the second phase of the league on today, Wednesday, against Bea Mountain FC.

The Club president, Sylvanus Morris, said the addition of Prince Balde will give his team balance.

“He has developed well and is very experienced, so we are happy to have him back in our team. This move will benefit us and the player himself because he has been away from the national team for some time, so once he starts playing, he may have the chance to be recalled to the national team,” Morris said.

“It’s a very special day; returning home is always a tremendous joy,” Balde told FrontPage Africa. “I’m happy to return and try to contribute as soon as possible, which is the important thing,” the player added.

The tough central defender has been given the club number 26 shirt and is expected to make his debut for the Pharmacists Boys on today, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, against Bea Mountain FC, who won the first leg 2-1 at the Tusa Field, the same venue for the second leg.

Global Pharma is currently in the relegation zone and will be fighting to avoid relegation to the second division of Liberian football.

 By: Christopher C. Walker 0777898224/0886723075 christopherc.walker5@frontpageafricaonline.com

He joined Monrovia Club Breweries in 2016 and departed in 2018 for Europe (Kosovo) and joined Feronikeli, where he made 28 appearances from 2018 to 2021. On July 1, 2021, Balde signed a two-year contract with Kosovan club Drita and received squad number 26. On August 21, he made his debut in a 2–1 home win against his former club Feronikeli. In July 2017, Balde made his debut for Liberia in a friendly match against Mauritania and has represented Liberia 12 times.