BYC, LISCR FC to Represent Liberia at 2018/19 CAF Competitions

Liberia’s two continental representatives for the 2018/2019 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup are now known after Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) were crowned champions of the 2018 league season on Wednesday, October 17, at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.

BYC defeated LPRC Oilers 4-2 in post-match penalty kicks after the regular 90 minutes and extra time ended in a 2-2 draw.

The triumph for BYC secured their slot in the next edition of Africa’s biggest club competition which will mark their fourth appearance.

They made their debut in 2014 when they knocked out Ghanaian club, Asante Kotoko, but later bowed out in the first round when they lost to Ivory Coast’s Sewe Sports.
In 2015, they lost to Gambian Premier League Club, Real de Banjul after a 2-1 aggregate loss in the preliminaries.

Their last appearance ended in a similar manner after edging out Malian side Stade de Malian 7-6 on penalties, after drawing 1-1 on aggregate in the preliminaries, but failed to reach the group stage when they suffered a 6-3 aggregate loss against Ferroviario De Beria. The return leg ended in penalty kicks after both teams won their home fixture 2-0 respectively.

On the other hand, LISCR FC, who progressed to the LFA Knockout Cup final alongside BYC, automatically qualified as Liberia’s representatives to the 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup after BYC had already won the league.

If BYC had lost to LPRC Oilers in the league final, they would have competed for the Confederation Cup slot in the FA Cup final against LISCR.

Both BYC and LISCR are expected to clash for the FA Cup title scheduled for today, October 19, at at the ATS.

The 2018 league season in Liberia was played under a special format with the aim of having representatives at next year’s CAF competitions.

Domestic football went out of action for a year plus due to controversies in the Liberian football house’s presidential election.

Ten teams were split into two groups of five, with the winners of each progressing to the championship final.

BYC and LPRC Oilers emerged as winners of Groups A and B after accumulating 17 points out of eight games respectively.

Outgoing league champions LISCR failed to defend their title after finishing third in Group B. They won three, drew three, and lost two out of their eight league games.

LISCR will be returning to the CAF Cup since they last participated in 2003 when they withdrew from the competition in the first round.
The draw for the continental preliminary round matches will be made at the end of the 2018 CAF clubs competition.