-Since Its Establishment in 2000
By: Thomas Kojo Roulhac
The historical County Meet Final in the football category between Lofa and River Gee Counties ended Sunday, May 5, 2024, with River Gee emerging as the winner for the first time since the county’s establishment in 2000.
The game started a few minutes after 3 PM inside the overcrowded Samuel Kayon Doe Stadium with Vice President Jeremiah Koung taking the kick-off.
With just 11 minutes of play, River Gee County not considered one of the favorites of the 2024 National County Sports Meet, got the game opener through Striker Blamo Weah before James Tarpeh leveled on the 22nd minute of the clock to end the first period of play all square.
Back from the break, it was the final favorite Lofa County who took the lead from a beautiful goal scored by James Tarpeh midway into the game that saw 70 percent of the jubilant fans dancing to the popular Lofa all-star song “We Are Ready!”
With time running out, it was defender Jusu Dukuly who brought the Southeast boys back to life with a goal from close range just three minutes to the end of regular time.
His goal extended the Sunday showdown to an extra 30 minutes of play which both counties could not get a match goal, leaving the game to be decided from a post-match penalty kick.
With over 22, 000 mixed fans watching live and millions following through social media and radio, it was River Gee County who were at their first final in 15 years that emerged as 4-1 winners.
The last time the Fish Town boys played in the final of the competition was in 2009 when they were trashed by Bomi County 5-2.
River Gee Coach, Daniel Sasley, winning the title for the county set another record for himself and the tournament by breaking the deadlock for River Gee by giving the county its first ever County meet trophy since its establishment in 2000 during the reign of former and jail Liberian President Charle G. Taylor.
Speaking with reporters shortly after the penalty shootout, Coach Sasley said it was a mission for him, his technical team, and players to break the deadlock for the county.
“Our mission was accomplished and we are so happy to be a part of this landmark history-making event,” said coach Daniel Sasley.
Meanwhile, in the Kickball grand final Rivercess girls narrowly defeated Nimba County in a competitive and classical kickball game to be crowned the 2024 kickball champions.
