Hilary Sackie, the president of the Liberia Football Association Cup reign champions Paynesville Football Club has cited hungry for success in Liberian clubs as a major motivation when participating in inter-clubs’ competition at the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).
It is believed that Liberian clubs are noted for underperformance at the qualification stages of CAF’s competition and there have not been club from Liberia making airwaves in both the CAF Champions League and the Confederation the last half decade.
This is the background that informs the recent called made by Hilary Sackie to clubs that will have the opportunity in the represent Liberia in the next upcoming qualifiers and the future.
According to reports gathered, it has been over 40 years since a Liberian male club last played in the group stage of any CAF inter club competitions and the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC), Oilers remains the only Liberian club to have played in the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation in 1989.
Speaking at a press conference over the weekend, Sackie said there is a need that clubs begin to increase their appetite in a quest to bring proud to football lovers of the country.
“Our clubs need to do better in participating in CAF competitions and this will have to do with them increasing their appetite for success at the international stage,” he said.
Speaking about his own club, Paynesville FC participating in this year inter club competitions, Sackie said the reigning Liberian FA Cup champions will leave no stone unturned in their quest to stroll past clubs in reaching the group stage of the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup.
He is confident Paynesville Football Club will overcome whichever team that will be drawn against them when the draw for the competition take place in June of this year.
The club will be making their debut in the prestigious continental competition after they sealed their first major trophy in history by beating Invincible Eleven IE 1-0 in the FA Cup Final played at the Antionette Tubman Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Sackie believes that patience and the burgeoning confidence gained from their impressive performance in the 2023/2024 LFA first division League and the FA cup will be the key to securing a favorable result for them in the CAF competition.
“We have been working hard for this, and we have been praying for it. It is finally here, so we are going there to showcase our talent and deliver,” Sackie stated confidently.
He added that with unwavering spirit and a hunger for success, Paynesville is ready to create history on the continental stage for all Liberian clubs.
According to him, the club being the pride of Paynesville City can boast of enough quality to get the job done in the preliminary round.
“We pray for a good draw for us but there are no easy team in Africa when you talk about CAF competitions. Nonetheless, we are very prepared to get the job done. As champions of the FA Cup, Liberians expect a lot from us and we cannot afford to let them down,” Sackie explained.
