Monrovia – Liberia’s Orange Cup winner, Paynesville FC, will face Malian side Stade de Malien today, September 20 in the second preliminary round of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup, in Bamako, Mali.
By: Christopher C. Walker, [email protected] 0777898224/0996723076
Paynesville FC arrived in Mali on September 18, 2024, aiming to secure at least a point on the road to qualify for the group stage of the competition. The Liberian side holds a narrow 1-0 advantage after winning the first leg in Monrovia.
Stade de Malien, a former Malian champion, needs to win by at least 2-0 to advance to the group stage. However, Paynesville FC’s head coach, Dominic Savice, remains optimistic that his team can deliver the needed result to secure a place in the group phase.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Savice expressed confidence in his team’s chances of advancing:
“We’re here in Mali after winning the first leg 1-0. We know it will be a tough match, but our goal is clear—we are here to qualify for the next stage. We won’t just sit back; we need to attack because our target is to progress,” Savice said.
The coach acknowledged Stade de Malien’s strength and home-field advantage but emphasized that his team will not be intimidated by the crowd’s support.
“Tomorrow’s game is crucial, but with the players I have, we’ll get the result we need. Our goal is to reach the group stage, and we’re determined to achieve that. We’ll be more aggressive in front of goal because we need a draw or win to make history,” Savice added confidently.
Paynesville FC captain, Eugene Swen, also underscored the significance of the match and assured fans that the players are prepared to give their best.
“Playing away is difficult, but we are ready for the challenge and understand the importance of advancing to the group stage,” Swen told reporters.
This is Paynesville FC’s debut in the CAF competition, and they are eager to make history as the first Liberian men’s team to reach the group stage of a CAF club tournament.
With a 1-0 lead heading into today’s match, Paynesville FC needs only to avoid defeat in Bamako to advance, while Stade de Malien must win by two goals to progress. A draw or win for the Liberian side would see them through, and with it, a chance to earn at least $275,000 for finishing 3rd or 4th in the group stage or $350,000 for reaching the quarterfinals.
Paynesville FC’s rise has been remarkable. In their first season in Liberia’s top-flight league, they made headlines by winning the Orange Cup. Now, they aim to continue their success on the continental stage as Liberia’s sole representative in CAF competitions, following Watanga FC’s exit at the hands of MC Algeria.
The last Liberian team to defeat Stade de Malien was BYC in 2017, securing a 1-0 home win and advancing on penalties after a 1-0 loss in Bamako. Stade de Malien later knocked out Watanga FC in the CAF Cup in 2023.
Paynesville FC is determined to replicate that success and extend their impressive run in the CAF Cup, as they strive to make history for Liberia.
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