It was a night of celebration for Paynesville FC and heartbreak for Black Man Warriors, as the “chicken was killed and the dry rice eaten” in a commanding 4-1 victory at the Tusa Field Sports Pitch in Gardnersville Township on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Despite the emphatic win, Paynesville FC could not advance to the semifinals of the ongoing Bettomax Champions Cup, bringing a bittersweet end to their campaign.
From the opening whistle, both sides fought with intensity. Paynesville struck first when midfielder Alvin Quarva calmly netted the opener, sparking early celebrations among their fans.
But Warriors’ reliable defender Safia Freeman rose to the challenge before halftime, scoring the equalizer that sent both teams into the break tied at 1-1.
Spectators expected another tight half, but Paynesville returned from the break with ruthless intent.
Striker Luke Gland stole the spotlight, restoring his side’s lead before adding a second to secure his brace. As the Warriors crumbled, winger Nasan Swaray hammered in the fourth to close out a 4-1 rout.
Freeman scored his second goal of the tournament offered little comfort.
The result confirmed the defending Orange Cup champions’ shocking group-stage exit, as Black Man Warriors crashed out without registering a single win in three matches.
The defeat has exposed glaring cracks in the Warriors’ setup, from defensive lapses to midfield disorganization and poor finishing.
With their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary clash against Cotton Sport of Benin scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville, urgent corrections are needed.
If changes are not made quickly, Liberians may need to temper expectations, because continental football is far less forgiving.
For now, the Bettomax Champions Cup has delivered a clear message: to be crowned champions is one thing but to defend it is another.
