Liberia WAFU U20 Survival hinges on Sierra Leone tie

The Junior Lone Star of Liberia

Host Liberia needs only to win against Sierra Leone in today’s West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Under-20 Group A decider for a spot in the semi-finals.

The match will now be played at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on an artificial turf instead of the Samuel KD Stadium and Sierra Leone team have not been able to train as the change was unexpected by the organisers, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Liberia, who suffered a 3-0 defeat to the young Elephant of Cote d’Ivoire in the opening match on Tuesday, 24 April 2018, in Monrovia, beat Guinea Bissau 2-1 late on Thursday to set up this cracking decider.

Sierra Leone on the other hand in case of a draw will finish 2nd behind Ivory Coast and a potential date with Mali.

Sierra Leone’s Alusine Koroma and John Kamara under the supervision of their Cameroonian technician, Ken Tabi have both won Match of the Match Award consecutively against Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast respectively.

Soccer fans are hoping both players will be at their best again today against Liberia, who will be in high spirit at home at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium kick-off 4 pm.

Sierra Leone soccer fans that have been following the team in Liberia are confident of a semi-final spot.

“I have watched both games against Guinea Bissau and Ivory Coast, despite the defeat to Ivory Coast, Shooting Stars have done well so far and they will not be a walkover. I am confident we are going to defeat Liberia,” said Alfred Sankoh a Sierra Leonean in Ghana.

“The team was reckless in the last ten minute against Ivory Coast, although they played well against Guinea Bissau. But the way they lost to the Ivorian was down lack of regular football in the country. You can see they lost all concentration and get thrashed.

“I still think they are capable and can qualify ahead of Liberia. Shooting Stars need much effort and to be more clinical in front of goal,” Sorie Barrie said.

John Coker in the US added, “The team need a lot of support, the Liberians are going to be motivated considering they playing at home. However, Shooting Stars must be fully determined and take their chances – my prediction 2-1 Sierra Leone.”

Meanwhile, The Young Elephants, who already and impressively scored three goals in the last 10 minutes to embarrassingly down resilient Sierra Leone on Thursday, April 26, await the second-best team from Group B.

However, Liberia’s U-20 team, Christopher Wreh wants better government support for the team.

The former Arsenal player, who was speaking after his side victory against Guinea Bissau, said his boys are going through a difficult period while playing in the tournament.

He added that he and his technical staff have had to use their personal funds and provide materials for the team.

All semi-finals matches will be played on May 2. Mali advance from Group B to the last 4 after a hard fought 1-0 win over Guinea while Gambia and Senegal settled to a 0-0 draw on Friday, April 27, 2018, at the SKD Sports Complex.