March 7, 2003

Monrovia

Basketball lovers and fans are expected to jam the Sports Commission this weekend to watch traditional arch-rivals Invincible Eleven (IE) and Mighty Barrolle in a classic showdown.

History tells us that whenever IE and Mighty Barrolle face each other in any encounter, be it basketball or football, it sends chills through their respective fans' spines from start to finish.

Those encounters are always filled with emotions, passion and suspense. It most instances, the fans are left to wonder as to what will be the outcome of the encounter.

This is exactly expected to reoccur this Sunday, March 9, when Mighty Barrolle and IE engage each other in continuation of the Liberia Basketball Federation 2003 National League.

As far as both teams are concerned, victory must be the order of the day. IE has played fives games, winning two against Raiders and Bushrod Bulls and losing three to LPRC Oilers, Uhuru Kings and NPA Pythons respectively.

As for Mighty Barrolle, she too has played five games, winning three against Raiders, Bushrod Bulls and Uhuru Kings and losing to NPA Pythons and LPRC Oilers.

The game on Sunday is the last for the two teams in the first round of the Premiership league. There are seven teams in the Premiership Division. The teams will also play six games in the second round to determine the four teams that will qualify for the play-offs.

Commenting on the match, Barrolle's coach Allen Jallah said his team has picked up the broken pieces and is prepared to take the vital points at IE's expense. "My players were lacking certain things-that is they refused to follow simple instructions. I think were are on course as we are prepared to meet IE with force and win," he noted.

As for IE's coach Billy Delany, he said come what may IE will take the points from Barrolle. "My team is young and energetic. We are ready to whip Barrolle on Saturday and take the points. All of the technical details are being put into place for the match," he said.

As far as the playing teams are concerned, Barrolle can boast of their three foreign-based players from Chad and Cote d'Ivoire respectively and the home stars that include Desmond Johnson, alias 'The Gabbage Collector", Emmanuel Porter, Reuben Johnson, Dasely Zulu, Richard "The Fish" Martin, Otis Nyanneh and others.

For IE, Chris Taylor, Cephas, Abu, Peyo Howard, Eddie Patten, and others will be available for the match.

All that can be said now is that basketball fans must throng the Sports Commission to watch for themselves what the traditional arch rivals have in store for them.

In the first game on Sunday, NICOM Commissioner and Sixers will run the floor in second division at 4:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, on Friday, March 7, T-Chons and Flames will lock horns in what is expected to be crowd puller.

Flames are yet to lose a match in the first round of the league. Coach Zoegar Jaynes has assured his team fans that they will keep their unbeaten record.

The second match will see LPRC Oilers and Raiders come face to face. This match is tipped to go Oilers way taking into consideration the fashion in which the Oil Boys drowned NPA Pythons.

Coach Jerome Pelham is expected to feature his regular squad that comprises Barchue Toure, Vessallie Yarkpazuo, Porte, William Papus Kennedy, Varney Saidu, Philip Kperue, Akintola Yomi and others.