Published: September 16, 2024
MONROVIA — Paynesville FC defeated Stade Malien Bamako of Mali 1-0 in the first leg of the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup Qualifiers. The match was played at an empty SKD Stadium in Paynesville on Saturday.
Ayetay Yangbe headed home a decisive corner kick in the second half, putting the Liberian Cup winners one step closer to reaching the group stage of the competition. The victory marks the third consecutive win for Paynesville in their debut appearance in a CAF competition.
The ‘CITIZENS’ previously defeated Cameroonian Cup winners, Fovu de Baham, in back-to-back games (4-0 at home and 1-0 away) to advance to the second round of the qualifiers. They have scored six goals and conceded none in their historic quest to become the first Liberian club to reach the group stage of a CAF club competition.
Goalkeeper Emmanuel Deanneh made three crucial saves in the second half before Paynesville won the corner kick, capitalizing on their strong attacking play. Defender Yangbe, who has been with Paynesville FC since their days in the third division, outjumped his marker and headed the ball into the net, delighting the handful of home supporters at the SKD.
The return leg is set for Friday, September 20, in Bamako, Mali. Paynesville will need to avoid a 2-0 defeat to secure a place in the group stage, with a draw sufficient for them to advance.
Great Achievement for Coach Dominic Savice
In 2021, Dominic Savice took over Paynesville FC, then a third-division side, as head coach. In 2022, he guided the team to the National Third Division play-offs held in Grand Bassa, representing the Montserrado Sub-association. Paynesville finished as champions and was one of five teams promoted to the Second Division league that year.
In his first season coaching in Liberia’s second tier, Savice led Paynesville FC to the Liberia Football Association First Division, the top tier of Liberian football. The team finished second in the 2022-2023 Second Division season with 57 points. They won 17 games, drew six, lost five, and scored 74 goals, finishing as the joint top-scoring team along with Tony FC.
Recognizing Savice’s success, Paynesville officials invested in strengthening the squad by bringing in some of the best players on the local scene. In a shocking transfer move, Edward Ledlum, Eugene Swen, and Emmanuel Deanneh all joined from money-spinning Bea Mountain.
There were doubts about Savice’s ability to manage some of the top players as a young coach. Some even questioned whether Paynesville could form a well-rehearsed squad, as blending experienced players with talent from the lower league was seen as a challenge. However, Savice skillfully navigated these concerns, and the club quickly became a contender for the title.
Though Paynesville eventually finished sixth with 44 points, the season was not without success. Savice and his team went on to clinch the League Cup. Already the first Liberian coach to win three consecutive games in a CAF club competition, Savice is on track to become one of Liberia’s most successful coaches should the club advance to the group stage.
Discussion about this post