In Kenema… Hostile fans left momentous match outcome undecided

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson – (AR-Wilson)

Aggressive actions from supporters at the Kenema city field on Saturday, 1st February, 2020 during a crunch tie in the Sierra Leone Premier League game between current league leaders, KamboiEagles and defending champions, East End Lions left match outcome undecided.

From a right footed shot in the first half, the Lions goalie, Donald Kamara was sent the wrong way and the ball entered into the back of the Lions net and the Eagles fans went bazaar celebrating their lead from their inform striker, whose well placed volley puts the host in the front.

East End Lions did all their work to get an equalizer but sadly, all their efforts didn’t pay off but saw the host putting more pressure on their counterpart and kept the score the same until the 75th minute of the game when riot break out at the Kenema city playing field.

The riot breakout few seconds after stones, bottles and broken sticks were all over the cover stand area of the field been pelted by supporters from one side of the pavilion n to the other targeting opponents fans in the presence of some members of the Sierra Leone Premier League Board and Chairman, AlieuVandy, top officials from the Minister of Sports and its Minister, Ibrahim Neyelenkeh, officials from both clubs and other football followers.

After several attempts from and handful of security personnel and others present at the game to end the rancor among opposing fans of the two clubs to continue the match and complete the remaining 15 minutes, properties were already been destroyed and the match commissioner was no way near the match venue which left the fans and onlookers in suspense on the match outcome.

In what has been referred to as an abandoned encounter by many football pundits, until today claims and counter claims have emerged from fans of the hosts and as well as the visitors team, both of which are accusing each other to have started the violence at the Kenema city field.

This is the second time violence is been reported from a Kamboi Eagles encounter at the same venue. The first was against recorded last month while the eastern region football giants, Kamboi Eagles played at home against Mighty Blackpool in this year’s Sierra Leone top tier league campaign.

Benson Bayoh, a member of the League’s Media Committee has told the press that the board will come out with their position on the said encounter on Wednesday 5th February, 2019.

Meanwhile, Kamboi Eagles are still leading the league with 16 points, followed by FC Kallon and East End Lions.