By S. Siapha Mulbah
Paynesville Giants, Watanga Football Club, are set to host the first leg qualifier match of the preliminary round of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup against Stade Malien De Bamako of Mali.
The match is slated for Sunday, August 20, 2023, and will take place at the Liberian National Sports Stadium, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in the city of Paynesville.
As part of preparations, the former Liberia Football Association National First Division League Champions have accordingly had several encouraging training sessions, plus new signings to beef up the squad going forward.
Watanga ended the 2022/2023 league season as runners-up of the LFA Orange Cup to secure the space at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup.
According to reports gathered by this paper, the team, under the leadership of National Team Deputy Coach, Cooper Sannoh, is prepared to make history for Liberia on the continental stage.
Last year, the boys represented the country in the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds against Nigerian Premier League side, Rivers United. As unpleasant as their participation turned out to be, Liberians are urged to join the queue to support the development of football in the country.
The continental fixtures present more opportunities to have Liberian players competing with others from across Africa. It promotes and showcases balling talents in the country. Players are sold across the country for better contracts.
The 2022/2023 Preliminary round of the CAF Champions League ended with Watanga seeing through the sale of two players who are currently performing well in the Nigerian League.
Mark Theo Gibson and Albert Korvah were bought by Rivers United and played for the club during the just ended league season.
