Can Liberia bullets shoot down the Eagles Wednesday?

                                    Liberia Coach Landi and Nigeria coach Keshi

Tuesday, 14 February 2012



Written by By Leroy M. Sonpon, III
leroysonpon@yahoo.com
(231-886-585875)

The virtually youthful side of Liberia is expected to host the local based players of Nigeria, known as “Super Eagles B” in an international friendly on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Central Monrovia.



The game which is expected to a feisty international friendly is said to have sub-plots to the epic clash which is making the encounter even more intriguing. But can Liberia shoot down the Eagles tomorrow at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium?

Record show that as of the era of the late Samuel K. Doe, who many Liberians regarded as “The Father of the Promotion for Liberian Football,” the Lone Star of Liberia has never tasted defeat on home soil, to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

In 1987, the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex was lighted with laughter when the Lone Star of Liberia dragged the Nigeria’s Super Eagles, 2-0, during the Eight-Nation’s Zone 3 tournament. The goals were courtesy of Ezekiel Doe and George Weah.

The following year, history was repeated at home, when the Nigeria’s Super Eagles bowed to the Lone Star, 1-2, at the 1998 Olympic qualifiers. Both goals were scored by striker Francis Mayango Jallah.

In the second leg match of 1998 Olympic qualifiers played in Lagos, Nigeria, the Super Eagles whipped the Lone Star, 4-1. The Consolation goal was netted by Liberia’s celebrity star James Salinsa Debbah.

In recent times, in the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers, the Liberia’s Lone Star thrash-out the Super Eagles, 2-1 at a crowded Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex. The two goals were netted by Christopher Wleh owing to a diagonal passes from George Weah. In the return leg in Lagos, Liberia suffered 0-2.

With these records Liberia has set on Nigeria, Will Liberia maintain the clean sheet? The plug to the query now lies in the hands of 45 year old Italian association football manager, Roberto Landi, who is now is serving as head coach for the Lone Star football teams, his principle deputy, former Lone Star player, Thomas Kojo and cream of local based players.

In readiness to the international friendlies, the local based national team of Liberia, Lone star, has concluded its seventh week of training yesterday under Coaches Roberto Landi and Thomas Kojo. The team since its intensification of practices has been in camp.

Veteran defender George Gebro, a member of the famous George Weah Eleven era, has been named captain of the home based team, assisted by Solomon Wesseh, another veteran defender.

“The team trains twice a day at the SKD complex. Though the players are aware of the might of Nigeria, they believe the test will prepare them for future matches, especially the pending 2013 African Nations cup qualifiers against Namibia at the foot of this February in Monrovia.

“The match is bound for Wednesday at 5pm at the ATS. The Nigerians are expected in on Tuesday,” Mr. Henry Flomo, the Director of Communication of LFA said.


Meanwhile, Nigeria's Super Eagles since the postponement of the international friendly with Liberia on Sunday, January 15, 2012, has been playing series of internal games as its build-up for the friendly against Liberia tomorrow.

Recently, the Super Eagles whipped the Nationwide Division One side, Voice of Nigeria (VON) 3-0 in Abuja.

The match was played at the FIFA Goal Project in the Federal Capital saw Head Coach Stephen Keshi trying out many new players who proved too much for the amateur side.

However, it was regulars like goalkeeper Okemute Odah, Godfrey Oboabona, Juwon Oshaniwa, Azubuike Egwueke, Papa Idris, who all starred in the defense.

Gabriel Reuben, Ossai Uche, Sunday Emmanuel and newcomer Henry Uche, held sway in the midfield while Kalu Uche and Izu Azuka, where handed the striker's role in the 4-4-2 formation of Keshi.

The game which was previously cut-off in mid-January owing to political unrest in some part of the oil-rich Nigeria, is expected to be witnessed by Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, some senior government officials and members of the diplomat missions.

Liberia, like Nigeria, missed out on qualification for the 2012 Afcon and are now rebuilding under their respective coaches, and both have called up a group of promising players from the local league as a platform of building for the future.

“Of late, record shows that the Nigeria’s Super Eagles have not beaten us on our home soil and we are hopeful of keeping that record clean.

“We are urging Coach Roberto Landi and the players to preserve that record,” Liberia football analyst Wleh Bedell stated.

“The records are there, we have never suffered lost to the Super Eagles at home for the past 27 years …. We always losing away and recently we lost 6-0 and 1-0 to the junior Super Eagles in Nigeria,” a 67 sports fan, Robert Koffa said.

He added: “We pray that the Roberto Landi’s boys don’t put sand in our farina at home.”

Admissions for the Wednesday’s game are: “VIP- US$50.00; Around VIP - US$20.00; Stadium wing – L$500.00 and Around the field - LD200.00.” Tickets are on sale as of yesterday and the gates are expected to be opened by 12:00noon.