2022 WCQ: Liberia to Face Nigeria Today
Abgrahim Mohammed “Brem” Soumaoro in possession of the ball during the first leg in Nigeria (Photo: BackpaePix).
Liberia will face Nigeria in a home fixture away from home in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group C match on Saturday, November 13, at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier, Morocco.
The Lone Star are using the Moroccan stadium after the Royal Morocco Football Federation granted Liberia the use of the stadium due to the ban imposed on the SKD sports stadium by FIFA through CAF.
Liberia’s hope of progressing to the playoff round of the World Cup African Qualifiers was dented following a back-to-back defeat against Cape Verde in October.
The Lone Star are only participating to complete this round of the qualifiers as their target to qualify appears humanly unachievable.
A full house of selected players has arrived in Morocco, excluding striker Kpah Sherman, who will miss out on the Lone Star’s last two matches due to his team’s [Kedah FC] preparation for the 2021 Malaysian Cup quarterfinals, coach Peter Butler said in his pre-match press conference.
Liberia suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Nigeria in the first leg on September 3 and will be looking to put out a better performance this Saturday.
“I think the most important thing, from my perspective, is that you are playing for pride and you are playing for your country. Additionally, we are still playing for points. I have a lot of respect for the Nigerian team, a great number of talents to choose from, but we will be competitive and we have always been competitive throughout,” Coach Butler said in his pre-match conference.
Butler said the goalkeeping department has been his team’s major problem, but has been solved with the recalling of goalkeeper Boison Wynney, who he believes comes with a better sense of professionalism.
On the other hand, Nigeria players are said to be in a buoyant and confident mood ahead of Saturday’s match, according to Plus Nigeria.
“Everyone is just happy and ready for the game, we know the importance of the game, we just need to go for the three points because we don't have to lose,” Plus Nigeria quotes captain Ahmed Musa.
After Saturday’s match, Liberia will climax their qualifiers campaign when they face the Central African Republic on November 16 at the same venue.
Group C Standing
- Nigeria - 9pts
- Cape Verde - 7pts
- C.A.R - 4pts
- Liberia - 3pts