Monrovia is abuzz with anticipation as Lofa and Grand Gedeh Counties prepare to battle for the championship title in the grand final of the 2024 National County Sports Meet.
Both teams earned their places in the soccer final after thrilling semi-final victories, setting the stage for a showdown that promises to captivate fans across Liberia.
Grand Gedeh County secured their spot on Wednesday in a high-stakes match against Maryland County.
The encounter saw Grand Gedeh dominate the first half with three early goals, but Maryland launched a spirited comeback in the second half. Despite Maryland’s determination, they fell short, and Grand Gedeh emerged victorious with a narrow 3-2 win.
In the other semi-final, Lofa County faced Margibi County in a tense matchup that ended 1-1 after regulation time. The outcome was decided in a nail-biting penalty shootout, where Margibi faltered by missing two crucial penalties. Lofa capitalized, missing only one, to clinch a 5-4 victory and secure their place in the final.
The excitement isn’t limited to soccer. In the kickball category, Grand Kru County’s girls dominated Bong County in their semi-final clash, delivering a 6-3 home run victory. The match at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex saw Grand Kru demonstrate superior skill and teamwork to advance to the final.
However, Grand Gedeh County’s girls were not as fortunate in their semi-final against Grand Bassa County. After a fiercely contested match that ended in a draw, Grand Gedeh fell short in the penalty shootout, allowing Grand Bassa to secure their spot in the championship.
The grand finals, set for Sunday at the SKD Sports Complex, will see Lofa and Grand Gedeh battle for the football title. In the kickball final, Grand Kru and Grand Bassa will face off in what promises to be another thrilling showdown.
Ahead of the grand finals, Saturday’s fixtures will include third-place matches in both categories. Margibi will take on Maryland in football, while the kickball bronze match will feature Grand Gedeh’s girls against Bong County.