He made this statement in an interview with AYV sports crew immediately after the Saturday encounter with FC Johansen at Siaka Stevens stadium in Freetown.
Benjelloun stated that with a rough and unpleasant pitch they were able to secure a 1 all draw, a situation he described as mission accomplished. He disclosed that their mission in Sierra Leone was either winning or draw and they secured a draw against FC Johansen.
The first half of the match ended in goalless draw, and the second half saw the introduction of fresh legs from the bench of the home side, a situation that yield the home team a temporary lead.
George Mata was introduced in the second half, replacing Ibrahim Kabba, who picked up injuries towards the end of the first half.
Mata’s inclusion was timely as he ensured the constant domination in favour of his side, and created a fantastic assistance from the left wing to Abdul Bangura who got the header that was converted it to a goal.
The Moroccan side were awarded a free kick on the left hand side, owing to a poor challenge from Yemi Dunia on FUS’s Ahmad Rahiou at the edge of the box. The free kick was transformed into a goal, which made the two teams settled in for a 1-1 apiece.
FC Johansen’s head coach, John Keister, said he was really impressed with the performance of his boys, as he affirmed that the result was encouraging.
“We should have won this match if not because of the poor officiating of the Mauritian referees, but we hope to turn this result in Morocco I am positive we are going to the next stage of the competition,” he asserted.
Head coach, Fus Rabat, Walid Regraqui expressed his dissatisfaction about the pitch.
“The pitch is too odd that’s why we were unable to play good football; because of the poor condition of the pitch the team find it difficult to click into the game, but I know in morocco where our pitch is good, it going be a different case,” Regraqui said, and pointed out that the 1-1 draw was not a bad result for them in an away match.
Abdul Bangura, FC Johansen goal scorer, said that he was happy to give his side a goal.
“I am calling on sierra Leoneans not to give up on us, because this is football anything can happen”, Bangura landed.
Mohamed Nahiri, Fus Rabat goal scorer, was unable to talk to AYV, owing to language barrier.
However, FC Johansen fans expressed their disappointment, as a result of the outcome of the match.
Fan from tower hill community Aruna Kamara explained that “my community printed supporters banner and jerseys just to support FC Johansen, we have played our part to give them support through cheering and singing for them but in return I am disappointed, I was hoping Johansen would have maintained their goal but that does not happened” Kamara said.
Mariatu Mansaray, a fan from Jui, said:
“I like football I paid my money just to come and support Johansen, am happy for the outcome of the game, taking into consideration of the poor condition of football in this country”.
