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FELMAUSA Pres. Elect. Mohamed S. Bility
In brilliant display, MMA Soccer Team wins FELMAUSA championship.
By: Al Donzo
It was the second day of July, 2011 in the city of Silver Spring, MD, when the referee ended the first game. Minnesota Mandingo Association Soccer Team won 2-0 in a brilliant display of superiority. The fans and supporters began the most obvious proclamations: Minnesota is the next FELMAUSA champion.
The match’s result had been decided long before. It was Minnesota aggressive striker, Sangary, who began his cat-and-mouse toying with North Carolina defenders, and certainly by the end of the first five minutes, he had scored the best goal of the tournament. His skills and talents were no match for the flamboyant North Carolina side. His go-ahead goal was all Minnesota needed to determine their fate.
North Carolina was favored to win the prestigious trophy, but the 2-0 defeat in the hands of Mighty MMA Soccer Team fueled the debate about whether it is capable of stopping Minnesota. Such a question was posed to Mohamed F. Konneh who declined to comment.
For Minnesota, the victory was not unexpected. The team, under the leadership of Ansu Keita and Team Manager, Musa Seasay, worked overtime to realize the results that were achieved. Minnesota Soccer Team dominated with its usual panache. Mohamed Komara, Omen, Daddy Konneh, Ansumana, Yusuf Donzo and the rest of the team performed collectively and tremendously well to secure the victory.
FELMAUSA Secretary-elect, Alh Donzo, showed up after the victory to congratulate the team. In an interview with Voice of Mandingo he said “Losing the championship last year hurt but I have always felt we would get another chance. When the first half ended, I was confident this was the chance.” He then thanked the players for their dominant display and promised to play his part in moving the team forward.
In the second game, MMA Soccer Team found its footing after a few sloppy minutes, and settled into its brand of play. By game’s end, Minnesota had held possession for 65 percent of the time. It had 15 on-target scoring attempts and won the game just 1-0 against New York. The only goal of the match was scored by Daddy Konneh. It was a disappointing defeat for People Swa & Co. But a Minnesotan would say a deserving victory that secured the cup.
New York had few early chances, including one in which their playmaking midfielder headed the ball to their top striker, whose shot was saved by Minnesota goalkeeper, AKA Zani. It was a simple reprieve from an inevitable outcome. And it was Zani, named “man of the tournament” by Voice of Mandingo, who made sure Minnesota left with the championship it seemed to deserve. As the cup was handed to Minnesota, the tireless Minnesota players and fans chanted “WE ARE CHAMPION”.
The championship - the team’s first- brings to an end a period of dominance by their rivals Philadelphia, PA who have won the last 2 titles.
Minnesota gave a lot this year to get to the convention and they deserve to win. They are true champions who have overcome a lot. They are the only team to travel over 900 miles. Their attack was speedy and organized. No team had the dynamism of Minnesota forward machine or the pace and trickery of Daddy Konneh. Every move of their trip was a challenge, just as they had been throughout the game. And every move will be recounted, at least until a better team comes along. Congratulations to Minnesota.
Abraham Fofana of MMA Soccer Team contributed to this story