Fans online were left wondering if 187 goals were actually scored in two Sierra Leone league matches to reportedly secure qualification in the national playoffs on Sunday.
According to reports, 91-1 and 95-0 victories were recorded by Gulf FC against Ququima Lebanon and Kahunla Rangers FC over Lumbebu United respectively in the Super 10 Eastern Region.
Both teams (Kahunla Rangers from Kenema and Gulf FC from Kono) went into the matches on 32 points each, with Gulf FC, who had a superior goal difference, seeking to finish second to qualify for the Premier League playoff for the East to Join Freetown FC.
Fans online reacted to these reports with shock and disappointment but they were not sure if the results were real.
“That wasn't a football game. Netball or basketball I would have understood,” said @frank_lataman.
“This goal margin is a new global record as it is faster than a minute per goal - 186 goals were scored in 180 minutes in two matches played Eastern Region of Sierra Leone on Sunday, July 3rd 2022,” replied @bittar32.
“What? Over 90 goals in a football game?” posed @harryelormgh as @Numiz8 wondered, “World records! My goodness!”
@SLFA_sl investigates impractical match results from two 1st-Division matches in the ongoing Eastern Regional Super 10 League. pic.twitter.com/UtsFBrQAdu
— Sierra Leone Football Association (@SLFA_sl) July 4, 2022
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 Football Association (SLFA) has began an investigation into allegations that claim match officials and some clubs have been involved in match fixing following 91-1 and 95-0 victories recorded by Gulf FC and Kahunla Rangers FC on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/gBSPDeYVee
— نوهو ادامز ™️ (@NuhuAdams_) July 4, 2022
MATCH FIXING
— MedioClubID (@medioclubID) July 4, 2022
Rekor kemenangan besar dalam liga divisi utama Sierra Leone tercipta akhir pekan kemarin. Gulf FC menang 91-0 atas Koquima Lebanon FC dan Kahunla Rangers FC menang 95-0 atas Lumbebu United.
[@NuhuAdams_] #MC pic.twitter.com/xHHTTAoC63
So some three teams in Sierra Leone scored combined total of a whopping 187 goals in 90+ minutes in a bid to outdo each other in suspected match fixing frenzy, mental!
— Bonface Osano (@bonfaceosano) July 4, 2022
In a quest to qualify to the Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 Premier League, 187 goals in just two games between Gulf FC vs Ququima Lebanon and Kahunla Rangers vs Lumbebu United
— Our African Football (@ourAfricanFooty) July 4, 2022
Watch Full Explanation Here : https://t.co/bwUUYbpwvS#OAFNews pic.twitter.com/nBHqP1wkrd
May be one of the highest scores ever in football history.
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) July 3, 2022
Sierra Leone Eastern Region Super 10 matches recorded hefty score lines.
Kahunla 95 - 0 Lumbebu
Gulf FC in photos 91 - 1 Ququima@FIFAcom @CAF_Online#SaloneTwitter #FSLMedia #FSLNews #SierraLeone #AfricanFootball pic.twitter.com/q2phbxJkCX
African football deception in Sierra Leone Eastern Region Super 10 matches recorded hefty scorelines Sunday, July 3rd 2022.
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) July 4, 2022
Kahunla 95 - 0 Lumbebu
Gulf FC 91 - 1 Ququima
186 goals in 180 minutes.
The incident comes just a month after South African fourth-tier sides Matiyasi FC, Shivulani Dangerous Tigers, Kotoko Happy Boys and Nsami Mighty Birds were found guilty of fixing matches after 94 goals were scored in just two matches.
In a match where Tigers and Matiyasi were fighting for the top position to gain promotion, the former won 33-1 over Happy Boys as the latter defeated Mighty Birds 59-1 and after investigations, they were found guilty of match manipulation, leading to bans.