Liberia Holds Falcons of Nigeria to 1-1 Draw


May 1, 2006


D. Webster Cassell


In continuation of the CAF U- 20 female preliminaries, the Lone Star U-20 female team last Saturday held the Falcons of Nigeria to a pulsating one all draw in an entertaining match at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia.

The huge turn out of home supporters as well as some Nigerian fans watched the match; the entire field was taken over by the home supporters in their red, white and blue, the nation's national colors.

Prior to the Saturday's match, Liberia was underrated by football pundits; that the Lone Star team lacks exposure and would be defeated by the Nigerians who have vast experience in female soccer on the continent.

But the story was different when the Lone Star female team, motivated by the surging home fans, demonstrated their soccer prowess that indeed contained the much- talked -about Nigerians who had earlier defeated Kenya 8-0 to reach this phase of the competition.

The first forty-five minutes of the match saw fine ball display by both sides especially the visitors who have been in female soccer for couple of years now, but their efforts lacked some finishing touches.

In the first ten minutes, goal keeper Mamie Kamara made a brilliant save for the home side, which posed no threat at all but gingered them up.
 

Minister of Youth Sports Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie

Five minutes after, the visitors mounted sustained pressure culminating into a deadly counter attack that disorganized the entire Lone Star defense and almost resulted to the first goal of the match, but keeper Mamie Kamara again came out and saved a one- on- one from Rita Chikwelu wearing number two for the visitors.

A couple of saves made by Mamie Kamara motivated the home side to put in all to at least get a win on their home soil that would put them in a comfortable position for the FIFA Women World Cup in Russia.

Liberia had minimum goal chances in the first half of the match. The defense was very outstanding and contained the incessant and aggressive attacks by the Nigerians. The first half however ended goalless.

Back from break, the Nigerians took over the match by demonstrating their soccer superiority until they got the first goal in the match. The goal came in the 67 minutes following a fancy dribbling by Cythia Uwak wearing the number 18. She was brought down by defender Dekontee Sayon around the 18 yard box, which resulted into a free kick.

A scramble ball ensued and Stella Godwin was on target for the visitors when she slammed the ball among the Lone Star defenders into the net.

Two minutes later, the Lone Star female team replied with a deadly counter attack that resulted into a Christiana Myers' fascinating thunder shot that shattered the Nigerians.

The score remained 1-1 until the end of the match.

Liberia will travel to Nigeria in a forth night to finish the job they have started from the beginning of the competition.

Our girls were praised by the Nigerians who promised a tough fight in Abuja, Nigeria.

The winner from this group will automatically qualify as one of Africa's representatives to the FIFA World Women Championship in Russia.

Liberia's Female Squad: Mamie Kamara, Florence Monbo, Barzaon Barwu, and Dekontee Sayon Savannah Jebor; Midfielders: Jestina Jipply, Cherir K. Sayon, Monica Cooper, and Christian Myers, Strikers: Amelia Washington and Patience Williams.

Substitutes: Miatta Jallabah, Shinly Dolo, Cathrine Deshield, Famatta Boimah, Bendu Goi, Patricia Allison and Famatta Dean.

Nigeria's Female Squad: Tochato Oluah, Jitlay Makuley #10, Akpa Glofy #7, Opa Vaocha Chiza#8, Soni Bola#3, Akusilley Blessing#17, Ulumms Jerome#16, Rita Chikwelu#2, Iwuagwu Akudo#9, and Ishola Tawa#14. Others are; Cythia Uwak#18, Okawars Nkiru#12, Chima Nwosu#5, Stella Godwin#11, Maureen Eke#4, Romemary Okesie#15, Ogonna Churwudi#13 and Ngika Udegbe#6