2022 World Cup Qualifiers: ‘We Can Make a Positive Impact’

Liberia senior men’s team coach Peter Butler remains optimistic that the Lone Star can make an impact in round two of the 2022 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers.

Addressing a news conference on Friday when he named his 22-man squad for his first two matches against Nigeria and Central African Republic, the British gaffer acknowledged the toughness of the group, but believes that his team’s plans can make a difference in the competition.

Liberia are paired in Group C along with Nigeria, Cape Verde and Central African Republic. The Lone Star must finish round-2 of the qualifiers as group winners if they ought to progress to the next round.

“Yes, we are in a very tough group with opponents that have good players and well founded, but I am not going to complain about that, I rather work with what we have at our disposal to work with.

“I will back myself against any of the coaches in that group that we will be as organized, as competitive and with an attacking mind on our games. We’ve more young, vibrant and energetic players on the front and in midfield, although we are going to get peppered by a team with stronger and better players, we have plans and I know we can be as competitive and make a positive impact,” Butler said.

Butler’s 22-man squad consists of 15 overseas players comprising five new additions, and seven local-based players.

The five new additions that are expected to make their debut include: midfielder Abrahim Soumaoro of Paeek’s FC in Cyprus, midfielders Justin Salmon of Swedish side Degerfor IF, Abu Kamara of FC Makedonijagjp who plies his trade in North Macedonia, forwards Ayouba Kosiah of NEC Breda II in the Netherlands and Hataspor’s Mohammed Kamara.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ashley Williams (RB Linense, Spain), Tommy Sango (LISCR, Liberia), Morlik Keita (Mighty Barrolle, Liberia)

Defenders: Prince Balde (KF Drita, Kosovo), Jeremy Saygbe (RB Linense, Spain), Alvin Maccornel (Watanga, Liberia), Sampson Dweh (LPRC Oilers, Liberia), Daniel Paye (Bea Mountain, Liberia), Teah Dennis (Monrovia Club Breweries, Liberia), Carlos Williams (Watanga, Liberia),

Midfielders: Abrahim Mohamed Soumaoro (Paeek FC, Cyprus), Murphy Dorley (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Marcus Macauley (Sahab FC, Jordan), Terrence Tisdell (Kocaelispor, Turkey), Justin Salmon (Degerfor IF, Sweden), David Tweh (Rukh Brest, Belarus), Allen Njie (FC Aarau, Switzerland), Abu Kamara (FC Makedonijagjp, North Macedonia)

Forwards: Ayouba Kosiah (NAC Breda II, Netherlands), Kpah Sherman (Kedah Darul Aman FC, Malaysia), Mohammed Kamara (Hatayspor, Turkey), and Van-Dave Harmon (unattached).