After years of falling short in the preliminary rounds of Africa’s premier interclub competitions the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, Paynesville Football Club (PFC) has made history by securing a spot for Liberia in the Confederation Cup.
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, Paynesville FC demonstrated their dominance over Cameroonian FA Cup holders Fovu Club de Baham in an away fixture, joining the ranks of the few Liberian teams that have advanced to the second preliminary round of these prestigious interclub tournaments.
The victory marks Paynesville’s second consecutive win during their debut season on the continental stage. The decisive goal was scored by Mark Paye, sealing a 1-0 win in Cameroon after PFC’s 4-0 triumph at home the previous Sunday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
In the first leg, Mark Paye led the charge with a brace, while Lawrence Kumeh and H. Dan Weah each added a goal, setting the stage for their advancement.
Historically, only two other Liberian teams, the now-defunct Barrack Young Controllers and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company’s Oilers, have successfully advanced past the first phase of continental competition. This makes Paynesville FC the first Liberian team to reach such a stage in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Meanwhile, FC Fassell, through its President Cassell Anthony Kuoh, extended heartfelt congratulations to Paynesville FC on their successful qualification to the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Kuoh emphasized that this milestone is a significant achievement for a Liberian club in CAF competitions. “We are currently reviewing the record books to determine the last time a Liberian team secured an away victory in CAF club competitions. This is no small feat, and FC Fassell takes great pride in your historic achievement. On behalf of FC Fassell, I urge all stakeholders to join me in celebrating this remarkable double victory as we look ahead to the next round,” Kuoh stated.
Paynesville FC will face Mali’s Stade Malien in the first leg at the SKD on September 15, 2024.