Liberia Can't Stop Us, Moses Warns President Sirleaf-Johnson
 

By Olawale Ajimotokan






Super Eagles stars -Victor Moses and Efe Ambrose - said Wednesday they were unshaken by the campaign launched by Liberia's President Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson, who is backing the Lone Star to edge out Nigeria from the Africa Cup of Nations finals next year in South Africa.

Nigeria and Liberia are already pumping the adrenalin ahead of their match up on Saturday at the Samuel Kayon Doe Stadium, Monrovia in the first leg of the final round qualifying match leading to a place in the continent's biggest football showpiece.

President Sirleaf-Johnson upped stake when she Wednesday constituted a mobilization committee, led by former President of Liberian Football Federation, Edwin Snowe, to motivate the public against the visiting Super Eagles.

The Liberian rally is code named: "Operation Crush Nigeria".

It was a direct response to the tone set by President Goodluck Jonathan, who on Monday, fired up Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, during a rare telephone call, to buttress the importance of the Africa Cup of Nations to Nigeria.

Jonathan's rally and Sirleaf-Johnson's campaign, was taken with the right measure by Moses and Ambrose, who assured of their readiness to secure the honours right in Mrs Johnson's backyard.

"We know what is at stake and are prepared to give more than 100 percent because that is what is required to secure victory in Monrovia. Their president is behind them, but our motive is not only to win there, but to secure our Africa Cup of Nations qualification before the return leg in Nigeria." Ambrose, who recently joined Celtic said.

Moses, who plays for Chelsea, noted that a victory over Liberia is a must as he was already looking forward to his maiden Africa Cup of Nations in January next year.

"I don't normally like to boast, but we want to make light of the Liberians by going for a victory in Monrovia. It is a very important assignment because I want to appear in my first Africa's Cup of Nations and don't want to see Liberia as a barrier" Moses said.

Why Keshi was in high spirits ahead of the team's departure to Monrovia Friday, he cut a worried figure when he disclosed his concern for midfielder, Ruben Gabriel, who took a knock at training on Tuesday.

Gabriel's absence will be a major blow for Nigeria considering he has been the stabilizing factor in the Eagles central midfield in the last eight matches.

"We don't know if he (Gabriel) can make it to Monrovia because he got a knock in training. But we will have to wait till Wednesday for the result of the scan," Keshi said.