Premier League Preview: Big Guns in Tough Weekend Clashes

Concord Times (Freetown)

13 May 2011

Freetown — The Africell-sponsored Sierra Leone Premier League enters another crucial weekend of interesting fixtures in both Freetown and the provinces and fans are expected to witness some tough duels.

One of the four big clashes takes place today (Friday) at the Kenema playing ground with league leaders Kamboi Eagles hosting second place Ports Authority. Already the two sides are looking forward to a victory but are conscious of each other’s threat. Kamboi Eagles coach Succoh Arun Conteh believes a better result against Ports Authority can send a strong message to the others that they are a tough nut to crack this season.

Last week’s 1-0 victory over Old Edwardians in Freetown has added more confidence in coach Conteh’s squad but must still beware of a Ports Authority side that is yet to lose a match this season.

On the other end, Water Front Boys coach, Christian Cole, whose side failed to find the net for the first time this season against Bo Rangers in Bo, believes the clash is more important to them since a win will see them eclipse the Eagles at the top of the table.

He said: “We need to win this tie to give us hope of moving to the top. If we record a victory, it will give us more enthusiasm to win our game in hand and easily move to the top of the table.”

While the top two in the league table battle in Kenema, another ding-dong clash takes place in Kono between Diamond Stars and champions East End Lions. The latter are on seven points and are bidding for a place in the top five of the log, while hosts Diamond Stars are on eight points.

Lions, who have recently rediscovered their form after recording two wins in a row, are favourites going into this clash as previous fixtures in Kono have gone in their favour; but the hosts who are just a point above the visitors, will be keen to bring to an end Lions good run against them.

Victory for the Killers would see them overtake the Gem Boys in sixth place, with two games in hand.

And in Freetown, it is a clash between eleventh place Central Parade and twelfth place Nepean Stars at the National Stadium. At the same venue on Saturday, eighth place Freetown City Council FC will host relegation battlers Kissy All Stars, while Wusum Stars host Old Edwardians in Makeni.

The other tough encounter of the weekend will be Sunday’s clash between fifth place FC Kallon and ninth place Mighty Blackpool at the National Stadium, while Area Best – who are still searching for their first point in the league – will entertain Bo Rangers in Makeni.

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