By: Omar Jatta
It’s end of the road for Tapha Manneh’s Liscr FC in their quest to enter the draw for the 2018 CAF Champions League last 32, after suffering a hefty 3-0 defeat to Al Hilal in Sudan, in the second leg of their preliminary qualifiers.
Two first-half goals from Mohamed Bashir and a 65th-minute goal from Sharaf Shiboub ended all hopes for Manneh’s Liberian outfits, who had gone into the game with a slim 1-0 advantage following a grafty victory in the first leg of the the two-legged tie in Monrovia about just over a week ago.
Al Hilal, who have reached two semi-finals in this competition and with over 30 appearances, were the favorites to go through despite the set back in Monrovia and didn’t take long for them take foothold in this tussle. It took only 3 minutes for Bashir to fire the host ahead. He then added a second to give them a 2 goal cushion going in the half-time break in the 44th minute after the shipyard boys failed to clear their lines from a cross.
Coach Tapha Manneh at a press conference ahead of the game
Al Hilal who had the larger share of possession in the first half took off from where they left off in the second and gave very little away to their visitors, despite Liscr throwing all what they had at them. The Omdurman based side rounded the game up in the 65th minute through a fine strike from Shiboub Sharaf to cap a disappointing night for Gambian coach Tapha and his charges.
On the club’s Facebook page, the team apologise to their fans with a simple consolatory message that reads: “Sorry that we couldn’t bring you live updates. It was due to reasons beyond our control. It’s all over in Khartoum at the Blue Jewel Stadium. We lost 3-0 to the hosts. Not the result we wanted, but this is football. We live to fight another day. Thank you for your support.”
However, despite their disappointment the Liberian champions can go home with their heads held high, having tested one of the top teams in the African club championship to the hint, which is all a sign of the remarkable stride the team has taken since the former Gamtel FC coach took charge at the club.
Hilal will now face Port of Togo or former Confederation Cup winners AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville, who won the first leg 2-1, for a place in the groups draw.
