By: Julius Konton
Liberia’s biggest domestic sporting festival, the National County Sports Meet, reaches its dramatic climax this Sunday at the Samuel K. Doe (SKD) Sports Complex, as traditional powerhouse Nimba County locks horns with Grand Kru County in a highly anticipated football grand final, a rematch of their controversial 2018 encounter.
The fixture has reignited one of the most compelling rivalries in the history of the County Meet, blending revenge, pride, and championship legacy into what is widely expected to be a tense and electrifying finale.
Road to the Final
Both counties booked their places in emphatic fashion during the semifinals.
Nimba County delivered a dominant performance, thrashing long-time rivals Margibi County 5–1 in a one-sided encounter that underlined their attacking strength and experience on the big stage.
Grand Kru, representing Liberia’s southeastern region, were equally convincing, dispatching Grand Cape Mount County 3–0, showcasing discipline, tactical organization, and clinical finishing.
Their victories set up a final many fans and analysts describe as the most politically charged and emotionally loaded fixture of this year’s competition.
A Rivalry Rooted in Controversy
Sunday’s showdown revives memories of the 2018 County Meet final, when Grand Kru defeated Nimba in a match that ended in controversy.
That game was marred by Nimba’s dramatic walkout before the conclusion of regulation time, following protests over officiating decisions.
The protest was led by Nimba’s then head coach, Mouctarr Fofana, and resulted in Grand Kru being declared champions, a moment that has remained a sore point in Nimba’s football history.
Eight years on, Nimba views the rematch as a long-awaited opportunity for redemption, while Grand Kru enters the final determined to prove that their past triumph was no fluke.
Championship Legacy at Stake
Beyond revenge, the match carries enormous historical significance.
Nimba County is the most successful team in the football category of the National County Sports Meet, with six titles to its name.
A victory on Sunday would extend its record haul to seven championships, further cementing its dominance in the competition’s history.
Grand Kru County sits close behind with five titles.
A win would not only defend its proud southeastern legacy but also draw level with Nimba, reshaping the balance of power in Liberian county football.
The outcome will therefore determine whether Nimba maintains its historical supremacy or Grand Kru rises to equal footing among the competition’s elite.
A Festival Beyond Football
The National County Sports Meet, jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is one of Liberia’s most unifying national events.
Featuring all 15 political subdivisions, the tournament promotes national cohesion, youth development, and talent discovery, while offering a platform for athletes from rural and urban communities alike.
This year’s edition has been widely praised for its heightened competitiveness, improved organization, and passionate fan engagement, reinforcing the County Meet’s status as Liberia’s premier grassroots sporting event.
Kickball Drama Continues
In the kickball category, excitement remains high.
Margibi County edged Grand Kru 1–0 to book a place in the final, where they will face Grand Cape Mount County.
Cape Mount’s girls staged a remarkable comeback in their semifinal, overturning a two–home-run deficit to defeat Nimba County 5–3, one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament.
Anticipation Builds at the SKD
As thousands of supporters are expected to flood the SKD Sports Complex on Sunday, anticipation continues to build for a final that promises intensity, emotion, and high-quality football.
Whether it ends in Nimba’s long-awaited revenge or Grand Kru’s historic equalizer, the 2026 National County Sports Meet final is poised to deliver a defining moment in Liberia’s sporting history where supremacy, prestige, and pride are all on the line.
