Monrovia – Van-Dave Harmon scored the only goal for the defending Champions at North Star Stadium against Nimba United, in their final match of the first phase of the Liberia Football Association First Division league.

BYC’s win Sunday over United took their points of the first phase to 21, and into 2^nd place, seven points, behind league leaders Fassell FC.

The visitors took the lead in the 71^st minute when Van-Dave raced unto Hilton Varney’s through ball, and hammered the ball into the roof of the net.

Mustapha Lormell should have leveled the score with a header from six yards out, but missed, though visitors BYC created more chances, despite their plenty of possessions.

Randy Dukuly could have made more comfortable for Copper Sannah’s side when his header kissed the crossbar, ending a run of two games without a win in the league.

Nimba United missed the chance to move up the twelve teams table from seventh to fourth, after their second defeat at home this season; they remain seventh on the log with 15 points.

Five minutes into the match the inform Nimba United winger Stanley Whitfield right foot shot was save by Allenton Sembeh.

A minute later Van-Dave missing goal continue as he missed a one on one with United Keeper Edmund Borloh .

Van-Dave and Abdulai Bility had a “one/two” connection deep in United’s half but Van-Dave’s shot went wild.

Whitfield dangerous pace down the left flank was consistently intercepted by the returning BYC right back Karleo Anderson.

26^th minute United Captain Michael Fahnbulleh was yellow carded for pulling down Randy Dukuly a minute later David Tweh was booked for similar foul on Mustapha Lormall.

Darlington Suwo was introduced in the 35^th minute for the injured Karsini Konneh.

Randy Missed an empty post from four yards, to the disbelief of spectators at North Stadium.

38^th minute of the first half BYC Abdulai Bility was replaced by Abraham Koffa Dougbeh due to an injury  he sustained.

There had been a sense that BYC’s performance has improved but scoring goals seems to be a major problem for them this season without the results particularly in the league – following suit.

But this was an assured display, coupled with a positive result, and will give Sannah hopes that his side can now build on the troubling run of two draws.

A defeat would have proven extremely costly to the “Go Blue Boys” hopes of claiming the Championship they won last season, and would have put them ten points behind Fassell FC.

Nimba United produced very little, despite their command of the ball, but it was BYC who were the more dangerous side through the attacking pace of David Tweh, Van-Dave and Randy Dukuly. Including Abdulai Bility’s neat passing and Tweh’s link-up play.

But it was left back Hilton Varney who created the goal, dispossessing Terrance Jones from the wing of the park, releasing Van-Dave who control the ball well and blast the ball in the top roof of the United goal. Randy showed occasional signs of menace, forcing a fine save from Nimba United keeper Edmund Borloh after his header hit against the woodwork.

It was all lined up to be the perfect afternoon for Van-Dave, who has not score for the “Blue Boys” since their meeting with IE when he scored a hat trick but turned around his fortunes to increase his goal tally to six goals in the league and three assists.

Sannah told reporters after the match that Bility injury was not very serious, and expects him to be back in time for their next game of the season against SuperSport United of South African in the CAF Cup next month, at home on April 9, 2017.

Ability’s absence could open up a return to the side for Claudius Morris, who was an unused substitute against LISCR FC in their disappointing draw at the Blue Field, while Sylvanus Morris and Junior Barshall could also be options.

What went wrong for United?

It was a disappointing end to a positive week for Abraham Sessay, who is in charge of the Mountaineers for the rest of the season.

Sessay took over from Emmanuel Kaykay who resigned as head coach of United after three months with the Mountaineers due to allege interference on technical matters from the Adolphus Dolo President and owner of Nimba United.  

He noted that his defense should be held responsible for his team’s defeat because they did not play to instructions.

“I feels disappointed because since I left BYC this is the first time for them to beat me in a match, but that’s football”.

BYC is a tough team they give us tough time but we are going to bounce back stronger during the second phase.

 Meanwhile in the only game at the Antoinette Tubman Liberia’s Oldest Football Club Invincible Eleven (IE) secure their first win of the season over ELWA United.

IE who are currently in the relegation Zone defeated eight men ELWA United 4-0.

The boys from ELWA started the match with nine men and were reduced to eight men in the 43^rd minute when they were down 4-0.

The game had to be caught off due to three injured players of ELWA United as central referee  Christopher Nylander, because the rules of the game states that five players cannot start or continue a game.

Sunday result means IE remains in the relegation zone with four points from eleven matches.

Report by Christopher Walker christopherc.walker@yahoo.com

Monrovia – The Liberia Football Association (LFA) first division champions Nimba United have signed Cameroon’s Michael Kouama.

Midfielder Kouama flew to Liberia with the Mountaineers after their match against Union Duala in the CAF Champions League on February 28.

He has been training with United while waiting the midseason transfer window to pen a deal. Kouama, who can also play as a center defender, signed a two-year deal on May 4.

If he obtains a work permit and other documents, Kouama will make his debut when United battle NPA Anchors on Sunday.

The midfielder’s move was made possible by his Russia-based agent, who was in the country to complete the deal.  Kouama played for Djalla Quan, a Cameroonian second division, before joining United.

Speaking to Insight Sports after signing the contract, Kouama expressed his delight and said he wants to help the Mountaineers retain the title.

“I am happy that the deal has now come through. I have been here for more than a month just to have the contract completed. United are a great club with great vision. I believe in vision. I will help the club win the league or the league cup,” he said.

The Cameroonian praised United technical staff for the confident reposed in him, pledging to payback with good performance.

“It has been a great atmosphere since I arrived here. The players, the technical team and the owners of the team have all been nice to me. Liberia is a nice place to be,” he added.

Kouama’s signing has increased the foreign continent playing for United this season following the arrivals of midfielders Foday Suma and Larmin Janneh of Sierra Leone and Ghanaian striker Kossi Adetu, who is the club’s all-time scorer.