By S. Siapha Mulbah
Upon his ascendency as National Team Head Coach, Ansumana Keita has invited 25 local based players to camp ahead of the first leg engagement with South Africa in Pretoria in the qualifying round of the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) scheduled for Tuesday, 21 March.
Those named are expected to report today (Tuesday), February 7, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville for training. Keita reported through the Liberia Football Association (LFA’s) official social media page that the training is part of his program in preparation for the March’s back-to-back qualifiers against South Africa in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to the LFA, Keita said the list is subjected to changes at any time based on the performances of the players during the period of the training.
In March of this year, Liberia and South Africa are to compare notes back to back for the second remaining spot in the qualifier round of Group K. Morocco which is currently toping the group with six points after playing two matches from the initial stage before the 2022 World Cup break.
On Thursday, June 9, 2022, Morocco defeated South Africa 2-1 for her first win in the qualifier followed by a 2-0 defeat for Liberia on Monday, June 13, 2022, in Monrovia.
The Tuesday, March 21, 2023 South Africa versus Liberia in the first leg to the aspiration of the coach is to collect the three points that might be used as an advantage before the return leg in Monrovia on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Coach Keita also named three goal keepers from the top three first division clubs, seven defenders from across all divisions and three first division forwards.
The highest in his call-up for the international encounter affected the midfield with 12 athletes.
The full list consists of Goalkeepers: Tommy Songo (LISCR FC), Emmanuel Denneah (Bea Mountain) and Derrick Julu (Watanga FC).
Defenders: Alexander Curtis and Henry Sakama (Watanga FC); Hamed Fofana (Gardnersville FC), George Wallace (LPRC Oilers), Nelson Laomine (Mighty Enforcers), Darius Karr (LISCR FC) and Prince Nagbo (Nimba Kwado).
Midfielders: Yaya Bility, Kertu Jerbo and John Jaysay (Bea Mountain); Morris Konneh and Sean Barry (Heaven Eleven); Farsedu Logan and Sheik Sesay (Watanga FC); Christopher Sergbeh (LISCR FC), Sidiki Kromah (Invincible Eleven), Darius Johnson (Freeport FC), Arku Morris (Muscat FC) and Abu Kindness Cole (Mighty Barrolle).
Forwards: Jeremiah Johnson (Invincible Eleven), Christopher Jackson (LISCR FC) and Gibson Freeman (Cece United).
