Warriors plot Lone Star downfall



 

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

THE Brave Warriors will use more than home advantage to overturn the one-goal deficit against Liberia tomorrow, coach Bernard Kaanjuka said yesterday.

Kaanjuka feels the cold weather, coupled with the fact that the visitors are plagued by indiscipline and are renowned as poor travelers, already gives his side the edge in the second leg 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Liberia have lost all 19 of their last games on the road – an uninspiring statistic that the Warriors are “ready” to extend to 20 following the expulsion of three experienced Liberian players from camp for breaking team curfew.

Anthony Laffor, Francis Grandpa and Dioh Williams, who scored the winner during the first leg qualifier against the Brave Warriors earlier this year, were this week suspended for constant violation of the national team player code of conduct.

Add to Kaanjuka’s assertion that the Lone Star was lucky to win 1-0 in Monrovia, then the Brave Warriors have every reason to feel they can turn the tie around.

“There is no need to fear Liberia. They beat us one nil, we had a goal disallowed and they were lucky to score,” said Kaanjuka.

“They have played 19 games away thus far since 2002 and they have all 19 during that period up to now and we are ready to make it 20.

Kaanjuka said that his chargers were buoyed by last weekend’s victory over Kenya and were keen to build on that result.

“I believe that we have shown that we are a good team and that we want to win. We will go into this match with the same determination and will to win.”

However injuries to key forwards Lazarus Kaimbi and Rudolf Bester could blunt the home team’s ambition.

Kaimbi, who was substituted midway through the second half last Saturday after getting a knock on his ankle, has not trained all week while Kaanjuka is reluctant to risk Bester as he has not fully recovered from a torn thigh muscle injury.

Kaanjuka is thus likely to hand a starting berth to either Willy Stephanus or Petrus Shitembi following their impressive super-sub roles last time out.

“We don’t want to change the team but if Kaimbi is not fit we will be forced to make the change,” Kaanjuka said.

“Our players are highly motivated at the moment and we will look for the early goal. We need three goals and that is our intention going into the game.”

Victory on Saturday also has the added incentive of more international matches, which is vital for a side still in transition.

“My goal is to ensure that the team play more games together and if we can get into the group stages of the AFCON and are still in the World Cup qualifiers and play Malawi that will mean so much. Qualification is not a priority right now but will be bonus.”

The coach also said he was impressed by the turnout last week and urged more fans to pack the stands.

“We really appreciate the support. The support helped the boys to play better. Come and sing and dance to help motivate the boys,” he said.

The match is set to kickoff at 18h00 and match tickets are available for N$30 each at Compu-ticket in Shoprite and Checkers countrywide as well as the NFA Soccer House in Katutura.

The NFA has appealed to all those that plan to be at the match to purchase their tickets in advance as there will be no tickets sold at the gates on match day.