Tapha’s LISCR completes a season’s double, closes fantastic season

Gambian international coach, Tapha Manneh, has joined the elite group of teams in Liberia to complete a season’s double with the FA Cup.

LISCR thrashed Elwa United 3-0 in Sunday’s Liberia FA Cup final at a 10,000 capacity Antoinette Tubman stadium.

The team now added on Wednesday’s League triumph where Manneh guided the team to a record-breaking 22-match unbeaten run.

Stephen Seameh opened the score sheet for the ‘Shipping Boys’ mid-way through the first half before Saikou Sheriff and Edward Ledlum sealed victory over the relegated Elwa United side, to cap off a memorable 2016 – 17 domestic league season in historic fashion with the club’s third league title.

Shortly after the team sealed the FA Cup, posting on its official Facebook page, the Club wrote: “It’s over!!! We are #Champions of the 2016-17 #FA-Cup. The mission for the #Double has been completed.”

Eyebrows were raised when LISCR appointed the relative unknown Tapha Manneh as manager in October 2016.

He arrived in the Liberian First Division league as one of the lowest certified coaches with a CAF B’ Licence.

Yet just 10 months later the Gambian had moulded a squad capable of challenging the top club’s stranglehold on the Premiership.

Bolstered by shrewd signings, Manneh and Liscr were set for an all-out assault on the League title.

Success looked unlikely when the shipping boys trailed FC Fassell by five points early on in the campaign.

However, a firm decision by the Liberian FA to deduct 12 points off FC Fassell eventually provided the turning point for Tapha Manneh and charges. But also the catalyst for a 22-match unbeaten run brought the Liberian First Division trophy to LISCR after five years. The last time the team won the League was in 2012.

Tapha Manneh, on his own, in just his first year has surpassed the 19 league games unbeaten run and set his own of 22 games unbeaten record. The club now set their sight on the CAF Champions League next season.