Kator Football Club came from behind to beat Atlabara FC and clinch 2021’s Juba Local Football Association Christmas Cup on Friday at Buluk playground.
Atlabara took the lead inside the 29th minute of the first half through striker Keanty Anthony, but only for their former player Peter Sunday Makoi to get an equaliser in the 36th minute to keep hopes of opponents alive in the game.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});The two giants could not add another goal as they both finished the first half in a 1-1 draw.
The second half started squarely as the two sides kept pressing each other, but it was Kator’s new signing, Luhachimba Faisam, whose 83rd-minute goal separated the two sides. Despite several attempts to equalise, it was too late as the referee ended the game after 90 minutes plus four added minutes. Kator had new man Faisam, to thank, who had spent less than seven days at the club after signing as a free agent from Uganda.
Faisam came on as a substitute in 69 minutes to get the winning goal for the Christmas champions.
Every player and fan thanked their new talisman for the good start and victory after a long streak of trophy drought.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Speaking shortly after the game, Juma Paulino, Kator’s acting coach, praised his players for their dedicated team spirit and advised them to keep aiming for better things in the future.
“Of course the boys deserve it. They deserve to win this at least, and you cannot always reach the finals and lose in every final,” he said.
Paulino added: “And if you are asked, why are you always losing in the finals and how did you manage to get into the finals? So, for me, everyone out there is happy with our win. Imagine this year (2021) alone, the team managed to reach the three finals, including the South Sudan Cup, but only went down as defeat. “
He said Kator’s win of the Juba Christmas Cup was something big for the club, stressing that the cup would motivate the players to aim for big cups, hence back to the winning ways.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Mr Paulino stressed that “I think everyone is happy, and the cup came at the right time where everyone was preparing for the celebrations of New Year. Winning will make our fans and players enjoy without a heart attack.”
Meanwhile, Chol Peter, commonly known as Habibo, who is Kator’s team captain, expressed his pleasure at winning the Christmas Cup after losing in two different finals this year.
“Yes, we won the Juba Christmas Cup, and we are grateful for our efforts.”
“My appreciation goes to my colleague, coach, including all club leaders; not forgetting our fans. I think without them we couldn’t make it better. I can say thank you, everyone,” captain Habibo said happily.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Nicola Peter, the head coach for Atlabara FC, thanked his players for their hard work and encouraged them to work hard to do better next time.
“Today they won it, maybe tomorrow we will, so all I can tell my players is never give up,” he said.