Team Sierra Leone beats Team Nigeria after penalty shootouts to win the 2021 Helsinki African Cup. They defended the trophy they won in 2019. Five teams participated this year. The tournament did not hold in 2020 because of the pandemic.
The trophy
The highly-intense game ended in a goalless draw after 90 minutes. Both teams missed clear chances that would have settled the game. At the end of the first part of the penalty shootouts both team were able to score 4 goals each.
Team Nigeria
Skillful Nigerian player, Obiora was unable to find the back of the net and that was what gave the Sierra Leoneans the victory.
Prior to the commencement of the tournament, both teams were tipped to lift the trophy. Team Nigeria have lifted the trophy more than other teams since it’s inception in 2009. Team Nigeria have a lot of players who are professional footballers, some of them have retired, while some are still playing.
The star-studded Sierra Leonean team added flavour to the tournament. The bulk of the players were members of the Sierra Leonean team that represented Sierra Leone during the FIFA under-17 youth championship that Finland hosted in 2003
Team Sierra Leone
Team Morocco returned to the annual tournament after missing out from previous editions. At their return, they didn’t perform well as they finished at 4th place.
Victor from Nigeria with the ball
The youngest team in the tournament is Team Congo. They are very talented and delightful to watch. They are the future of the tournament. They took the bronze medal.
Dawish from Sierra Leone
Highest goal scorer with 8 goals
Kenya came with a depleted team, most of their key players were playing in another tournament.
Team Nigeria won the fairplay award while a Morrocan player won the fairplay player award. The best player of the tournament goes to Kalie Jalloh from Sierra Leone, Darwish also from Sierra Leone picked the highest goal scorer award with his 8 brilliant goals.
Kalie Jalloh from Sierra Leone wins best player
The organiser of the tournament, Sabasy Ndiaye, an accomplished youth teacher in Helsinki was very delighted about the outcome of the tournament. According to him, next year’s edition will be better and more teams will participate.
Referees with the organiser (left)
