There were loud celebrations in parts of Monrovia and other major cities seconds after Bahraini football referee Nawaf Shukralla sounded the final whistle to end the Group H 2nd match between West Africa Representatives Senegal and Poland.
Senegal, known as the Lions of Teranga won Poland 2-1, registering Africa’s first win at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Senegal became the first African nation to score and win in the 2018 World Cup after seeing off Poland 2-1 at the Otkrytiye Arena on Tuesday.
On a very wet Tuesday in Monrovia and other major cities, Liberians both at home and work, took off times to spectate the match as they have done for other African teams.
Local football fans brave the heavy down pull of rain to crowd up Video centers, offices, shops/business centers and homes to cheer Senegal to victory.
There were loud shouting at video centers and offices along the main streets when Senegal scored their two goals against Poland.
Many local fans said they had visited betting centers earlier and had thrown their respective bets in favor of the West Africans.
Liberian football fans said they were happy seeing Senegal winning Poland, especially at the time winning for an African team was proving difficult.
There were some Liberians moving around the city in the rain with the Senegalese Flag as the match moved on.
The Senegal Community in Liberia could not keep their cool when the goals were going in the Polish net.
Many professionals and sports administrators, as well as athletes, were all among the celebrants, praising Senegal for the win.
One Liberian Sports Journalist Moses Garzeawu, (Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia, SWAL) was in the celebrations, saying “It was a win for all Africa.”
Moses said
“Is a victory for Africa and hope of potential in the continent coaches.”
Others sang, “Senegal gave us joy”.
He also had special praises for Senegalese coach Aliou Cisse:
“Aliou Cisse has given confidence that our own can take us somewhere. It’s a victory that puts Africa’s representation back on track in this year’s competition.”
As they saw the game at the video centers, the debate about an Africa country winning the World Cup refused to seize, with some saying African can only reach a last sixteen stage.
Liberia’s failures to reach a world cup keeps coming back when these games are happening and the debate of African teams making progress or winning the World Cup is put up.
Besides the two West African teams, Nigeria and Senegal, there is a huge support in the country for Mo Salah and his Egypt team. Many were saddened when Salah could not play in the Pharaoh’s defeat in their first match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The expressions on the faces of Liberians after Egypt’s defeat to Russia could tell that Liberians were also supporting the Pharaohs.
There was bitterness amongst the fans after Egypt’s 3-1 loss to host Russia, which means the Pharaohs are the first side to get eliminated from the 2018 show.
