The Eagles’ potent and handy striker, Mba Sunday, raised the curtains in the 8th and 34th minutes respectively, dampening the hope of the Roberto Landi’s boys in her first international friendly, in preparation of the pending 2013 African Nations cup qualifiers.
Lone Star’s quartet, Isaac Pupo, Ballah Somah, James Soto Robert and Alex Whitmore, started and ended the pace of the game with perfect coordination; but some of their kicks went wide, while a few landed in the safe hands of goalie Agbim Chigozie, who also served as captain for the Green-and-white boys.
Statistics show that Liberia accumulated 52% of ball possession, while Nigeria had 48%; but the Super Eagles were able to convert their “two best chances” into the net, while the Lone Star failed to see the curtain raiser.
Liberia’s chief referee, Ebenezer Stanley, served as central referee, while Augustine Gooding and Sylvester Johnson served as first and second referees (linesmen) respectively. Lamin Kamara was the reserved or fourth referee. The former President of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), Cllr. Sombo Izetta Wesley, served as Match Commissioner.
Talking with officials from the technical teams from either team proved impossible owing to tight security.
“The coordination was good, but there are no finishers. We need aggressive and strong strikers, tougher defenders and a better goal keeper,” Andrew Wesseh, a Liberian fan, told our reporter in tears.
The Nigerian fans, of course had no complaints.
“We enjoyed the game. I think we are on track to qualify in the 2013 African Cup of Nations …and I want Coach Keshi to beef up the striking force,” Ogwu Kennedy, a Nigerian fan opined.
“Liberia cannot live with Nigeria’s movement,” a government official, who begged for anonymity, snapped.
Nigeria’s victory over Liberia on Wednesday is the Super Eagles’s first over Liberia at home in 27 years.
Record shows since the 1980s, the Lone Star of Liberia has never tasted defeat on home soil to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
It can be recalled historically that in 1987, the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex was lighted with laughter when the Lone Star of Liberia dragged Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2-0 during the Eight-Nation Zone 3 tournament. The goals were courtesy of Ezekiel Doe and George Weah.
The following year, history was repeated at home, when the Nigeria’s Super Eagles bowed to the Lone Star, 1-2, at the 1988 Olympic qualifiers. Both goals were scored by striker, Francis Mayango Jallah.
In the second leg match of 1988 Olympic qualifiers played in Lagos, Nigeria, the Super Eagles whipped the Lone Star, 4-1. The consolation goal was netted by Liberia’s celebrity star, James Salinsa Debbah.
More recently, in the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers, Liberia’s Lone Star thrashed the Super Eagles, 2-1 at a crowded Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex. The two goals were netted by Christopher Wleh, thanks to diagonal passes from George Weah. In the return leg in Lagos, Liberia suffered 0-2.
On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, Roberto Landi’s boys are expected to engage the national football team of Namibia in the 2013 African Nations Cup qualifiers, while the Stephen Keshi side will be going against Rwanda in Kigali on the same day.
