Liberia Must Attack Equatorial Guinea


By Wleh Bedell
bedellblessing@yahoo.com
 +2316106293

The August 15, friendly involving the Lone Star of Liberia and the Nzalang Nacional will be a strong test for both sides as they prepare for the first leg final round qualifiers of the 2013 African Nations Cup. With the Lone Star having a date at home at home to the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Nzalang Nacional expected to engage the Democratic Republic of Congo away in the first leg tie, there is a need for the Lone Star to go all out in attack as the hosts will be aiming to do the same in the friendly.

With Liberia expected to go against its own son, the 25 year old Omani club Al-Shaba rugged defender Lawrence Sokota Doe, for the third time, what is expected of the team is to play an attacking game as the match is intended to be a test for the Nigeria melee. Playing Nigeria at home, the Lone Star will have to be positive by attacking against the Super Eagles which means they must see the match with Equatorial Guinea as the match with Nigeria though it will be played away.

The attitude that would be adapted against Nigeria which will be an attacking one should be just the same attitude the team must adapt in the August 15 contest. This does not in any way mean the Lone Star will not respect their Central African opponents, but they must however get on the front foot. “Kaetu Smith must implore attack minded tactic against Equatorial Guinea”, one analyst noted recently.

With the likes of Edward Junior Wilson, James Koko Lomell, Eric Weeks Lewis, Zah Rahan Krangar, Abel Quioh, all from Indonesia expected to make the trip and the local lads Isaac Pupo, Sekou Manubah, John Kollie, also joining as well, the Lone Star that should also call the likes of Sekou Jabateh Oliseh, Theo Weeks Lewis, Patrick Wleh, etc. the Lone Star must take the game to their opponents in Malambo which would be a worthy test match in preparation for the Super Eagles. Since the contest will not be a competitive one but just a friendly, there must be no need to be negative or cautious but go out and be positive just as the way it will be against the two times African champions Nigeria.

The last time Liberia met their August 15 opponents in Malambo was on September 3, 2006 when a 24th minute strike from J. Epitie was leveled by a 35th minute goal from the debutant Zah Krangar before Bodipo scored in the 88th minute to ensure the Nzalang Nacional won 2-1 at the Estadio Internacional in Malambo.

The corresponding fixture which was also in the 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier was played on June 12, 2007, at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) which ended 0-0. Co-host of the 2012 African Nations Cup finals where their fairy tale run ended in the quarter finals by a rampaging Elephants of Ivory Coast, the Equator Guineans have made great strides in their football.