Liberia traveled to Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, to play the return football match against Sierra Leone in the Qatar 2022 World Cup African preliminaries. Unlike the hospitality and peaceful stay the Sierra Leonean players and supporters received from their Liberian counterparts, there were reports on social media and main news outlets of the stoning of Liberian players and supporters in Freetown by Sierra Leonean hooligans. Mr. Dennis Biyee Somah Toe, journalist and educator, traveled with the Liberian supporters and gave the following account of all that transpired in Sierra Leone:
Going to Freetown was an
off-and-on plan. When it finally got settled, I made up my mind to go and be
with my nephew (sister’s son), Seth Kanteh Hellberg (in jersey #20). As a debutant
for the national team, he truly needed my presence.
Therefore, last Friday the 6th of September, by 11 pm we took off by road to spend the night at the border, Bo Waterside. We arrived at 2:16 am. Immigration authorities were on hand to process our papers. By the beginning of official hours, we were given preference and crossed into Sierra Leone.
At the crossing, reception on the Sierra Leonean side was cordial with few boastful exchanges on who will come on top. Sierra Leone was promising to beat us by 4-0. We laughed it off. But what caught my attention, though not with much seriousness, was when a lady said that our president paid for the [Liberian] victory. I said to myself: President Weah a professional of the game will stoop that low? I hurriedly dismissed it from my mind. But believe me, this was what the media in Sierra Leone made the people to believe. I was told for the few days to the game, it became an issue on radio and social media. We travel amidst rain and sun from Jenemah to Freetown having fun with security personnel at checkpoints with no clue to what was obtaining in Freetown.
As we approached Masiaka some 50kms from Freetown, my nephew called me. When I saw his call, I was of the opinion that he was doing so to check on me to find out if I had arrived in Freetown. But his voice wasn’t pleasant as I know it to be. The fluctuation in reception forced me to ask that we chat through text messages. He complied. In seconds, he threw out my hidden thought of revisiting 1979, when our national team players and officials were brutally beaten up.
In a message, he said they were stopped from training with stones thrown at them and then holed up at the stadium for hours before being taken to the Mamba Point Hotel. He needed me to urgently go to the hotel to him. I informed him that I hadn’t arrived but he shouldn’t panic as the officials would have things under control. He was scary! And I wouldn’t blame him either. First time seeing violence with your bare eyes could put any one of his kind in such position. He wasn’t in the right frame of mind and again I understood. But along, I kept assuring him. He calmed down a bit but demanded my presence. I gave him assurance.
Onboard the bus where the festive mood was high by “220” voltage, I quieted the group and broke the news to my fellow Liberians. It was followed with footages I was receiving as I was the only one having access to the Internet at the time. Speechless! I asked them to refrain from making provocative statements as doing so would endanger us in the face of what was obtaining. They obeyed. I asked the driver to drive us to the Liberian Embassy and there we landed after some turning around.
When we arrived and had nobody to receive us. I told the driver to enter the compound and secure ourselves there. By then it was after 11 pm. Some folks felt at home and with the help of the gateman found a shower. Active kids jumped in the streets in search of food. Upon return, the tension was building up about remarks coming from fans of Sierra Leone that trouble awaits us after the game because of Sierra Leone claimed we cheated them in the first leg.
Some of the traveling supporters said they wanted us to return to Monrovia the next day without watching the game. I just told them to be calm and be patient until our officials could show up. Thanks to those who later got out and located out officials at the Charms Hotel on Kalon Drive, not far from their lodging and that of the National Football Team.
Before then, a friend picked me up to lodge with him. We talked about the game and the situation about it. He gave me assurance that nothing would happen and it was just a scare tactic. I told him it wasn’t good for the spirit of the game. We laughed about it and went into other discussions since we hadn’t seen each other for 12 years. He put his driver Richard at my disposal the next morning who was so generous. Because of the situation, we’re asked to stay together by the FA and so I let go of the hospitality of my friend. Thanks, Solomon MacCullay and Richard!
On the day of the game, strong security steps were promised and taken to assure us. The President of Sierra Leone stopped by and gave reassurance. Information Minister Eugene Nagbe and Deputy Foreign Minister Henry Fahnbulleh, along with FA President Mustapha Rajah and other officials, were at their best. Thanks to them!
In a convoy of more than 8 cars, we headed for the game. Amongst the cars was one car with a jumbo sound system that blasted songs for Lone Star. En route to the stadium, signs of threats were made. But like fearless lions, we marched on and entered the stadium.
Arrangements were made
to group Liberians at a particular spot. Those of VIP tickets were shown our
entry point. But for our counterparts, some (and I am choosing my words
carefully) Sierra Leoneans were hostile. The security, after appeal, decided to
send all Liberians to the around-the-VIP stand. Blessings in disguise!
Prior to the beginning of the game, some of our hosts began sending missiles on our side. Some good Sierra Leoneans tried preventing their colleagues from being barbaric but to no avail. We encouraged Liberians not to retaliate and again with all these provocations, they remained calm. Throughout the game, bottles, urine in plastic bags, water bags and – at one point – feces, were thrown on our side, but Liberia was calm.
As most of you might
have watched, Liberia lived above the fray. The first 23 minutes, they took
charge of the game and some Sierra Leoneans began to understand that we were
better in Monrovia. Notwithstanding, the goal came and the stadium was fired
up. But our players kept their cool.
Then bump! The penalty
came to vindicate Liberia. For some reason, I had confidence that it wouldn’t
turn into a goal. The captain, Kanglay, who was the best player on the field,
stepped up. He took it, expecting our goalkeeper to go the wrong way, and to
our relief, Ashely Williams became an instant hero to save it. That save took
the attention off us for a while. They turned against their player and
reportedly stoned his house. Thanks son! But as a former goalie myself, you
have some learnings to do at your given age. With a bowed head and focused
mind, you can go further.
Sierra Leoneans became despondent while Liberians became rapturous. Disgruntled hooligans took to come after us with further throwing of missiles. For this, we were like slaves holed up in a cage for hours. The police after several hours had to take fans in their trucks to the hotel.
Thanks to the government and its security apparatus for being resilient. But more needs to be done as this isn’t the first time.
Liberia, about 40 years ago, suffered in the hands of Sierra Leone brutally. We need not be reminded again. If things had escalated further than what happened, the media that reported what was never true that President Weah was manipulative would take the blame. Football is an emotional sport, but we need to be objective when reporting.
To my fellow Liberians, especially those who made the trip, thanks for the maturity exhibited.
I have never been prouder being a Liberian with your emotional control at the stadium. And like we sang after the game, “Sierra Leone killed the cow, Liberia ate it.”
God bless us all as Ashely Williams truly saved the State!
I will remiss if I don’t
say a big thank you to my family and friends who were very concerned about my wellbeing
when I was out there. Your calls and messages made me stronger. Thanks very
much!!