Africa-Press – Liberia. Grand Gedians furiously stormed the pitch as violence erupted after Nimba County controversially advanced to the semi-final following poor officiating from referee Josephus Torlijar. The supporters charged onto the pitch as Nimba players were celebrating their 4-2 penalty victory over their fiercest rival, Grand Gedeh, in the continuation of the National County Sports Meet quarter-final after an extra 30 minutes.
The Grand Gedians were seen kicking and breaking the newly placed over USD $30,000 dugout seats, for which Liberia was fined by CAF during the Weah-led administration. They also had scuffles with security and were throwing cans and bottles onto the pitch. However, the protesting Grand Gedians were calmed by the police, who also had some of their men injured on the pitch.
The violence emerged after the final whistle, but it was not the defining moment of bitterness for the Grand Gedians, who felt that they should have won the match within the 120 minutes of the game but were denied by controversial referee Torlijar’s decision.
The match was level at 2-2 going into the completion for the semi-final slot on Monday, April 29. Nimba began the match with a switch move to pressure the Grand Gedians, but the early dominance was overpowered relentlessly by their opponents, who could have taken the lead twice in the space of seven minutes but failed.
As Nimbians eased off the gas, it was the Grand Gedians who were the most likely side to score, and it eventually happened from a corner in the second half when a Grand Gedians player headed the ball into the back of Nimba’s net. However, surprisingly, the referee whistled for a foul and disallowed the goal.
Referee Torlijar’s decision led to angry reactions from supporters who felt a sense of injustice not only from the referee but also from the tournament organizers. The muted tension inside the stadium lasted for over 15 minutes, with supporters throwing objects, some of which were aimed at the VVIP, VIP, and media tribunes, leading to journalists escaping the scene.
The match saw reigning Champions Nimba take a 17th-minute lead through Emmanuel Sieh’s header from inside the area, but Nush Zohn leveled from the spot for Grand Gedeh after a deliberate handball in the area that was initially ignored by referee Josephus Torlijar.
However, assistant referee Ephraim Grant called the referee through the communication set, and the referee awarded the spot kick, which was beautifully dispatched by Zohn. Grand Gedeh then took the lead after the interval when Zohn found some space down the left flank and cut inside before firing a stunning effort that sent the Grand Gedeh supporters roaring inside the stadium. But Nimba got themselves back on level terms following a dominant spree in possession. Mohammed Keita received a delicious pass from the flank that he blasted into the back of the net to level proceedings and take the game to extra time. Some supporters were overheard pointing out the poor selection of referees for crucial matches and questioned the reputation of the match officials and how compromising results during matches in the tournament would not safeguard the word “reconciliation,” which is always associated with the tournament.
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