Monrovia – Two first-half goals from Lone Star’s Teah Dennis and Captain William Jerbor earned Liberia’s first win of the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers in a match that ended 2-1 against Congo Brazzaville.
Report by Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
Liberia started the match electrifying against Brazzaville. In no time, Teah Dennis headed in the match’s opener from left back Aloysius Simujla’s spot kick after over jumping Congolese defender Carof Bakoua six minute after kickoff.
Following that opening goal, Lone Star mounted pressure on the Red Devils and subsequently got the second. Kpah Sherman, Sam Johnson, William Jebor and Anthony Laffor came close to scoring but failed to hit the back of the net.
The home said increased its lead in the 10th minute from the leg of Jebor, who hit the second goal of the match after a decent pass from winger Anthony Laffor, who received a through ball from Murphy Dorley.
The visitors responded immediately and within a minute reduced the deficit by 2-1. The Congolese goal was as a result of a poor decision from Liberia debutant Ashley William, who tried to punch the ball from his box but it fell at the feet of Vinny Prince Ibara, who blast the ball at William’s net in the 12 minute of the match.
The Red Devil than increased the tempo of the game with their physical approach to players of the Lone Star who were constantly fouled. But the Cameroonian central referee Blaise Y. Ngwa, showed no interest sounding his whistle against the tough tickles.
Sam Johnson, who got the consolation goal for Liberia in the first leg in Congo, cross found Jebor far from the target allowing goalkeeper Mohikla Massa to come out of his line to make an easy save.
Going forward, the Congolese were dangerous but the new looked Thomas Kojo defenders were at their best in most part of the encounter to clear dead balls.
Prince Onisngue, Dayan Louis Sant and Vinny Prince Ibara were serious threats to Liberia throughout the match with their penetrating passes and shots on target.
Allen and Murphy’s partnership in central midfield for Liberia proved to be very vital; judging from their total control of the game while Teah and Alvin look not too convincing due to some heartbreaking moments in both halves of the game from the central backs.
With time running out, Laffor’s first attempt a close range shot was denied by Massa ending the first half 2-1 to Liberia.
26 second in the second half Laffor’s free header was saved after Sam’s delicious cross that beat the entire Brazzaville defense but Massa was right on time for the save.
Jerbo struck from long range but it was blocked by the well organized defense of the Red Devil.
Both teams fought to score in the second but all their attempts fail ending the match 2-1 to the ‘pride and joy’ of Liberia in the presence of the Chief Patron of Sports, President George Manneh Weah and several government officials.
Tuesday’s result means Liberia still has hope, but it is slim. It has hope of their third appearance at the finals of the Nations Cup with four points from four games.
Liberia has lost two games won one and played out to a 1-1 draw at home to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Currently, Zimbabwe tops the group with eight points from four matches after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to DR Congo, who moved up the table second with five points followed by Brazzaville and Liberia on four points each but the Red Devil has superior goals difference over Lone Star.
With two games left to end of the Cameroon 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Liberia now has to win their last two games to stay in contention to reach the final.
With group leaders Zimbabwe at home and DR Congo away, all Kojo can hope for is a win against DRC away and Zimbabwe at home which will increase the Lone Star’s points to 10.
If all goes Liberia’s way than Brazzaville and DR Congo must draw while Zimbabwe should drop four points to see the Red, White and Blue in Cameroon.
Speaking to the media after the game Kojo said he was out of words for the win because since he took over as head coach Tuesday victory was his first and in particular at home.
“We did a great job as technical people and players so I must first congratulate my team for the victory,” he said.
According to Kojo there is still more to be done with his team. He praised his boys for playing to his expectation.
“This win means nothing there is lot to be done but we will get there if the necessary support is given us by national government.”
Captain William Jebor said he was happy scoring and getting his first victory as captain of the team but said is not over yet.
The striker said Liberia cannot be rated out of contention now because their win has opened the group.
“We need the fans to always be there for us in bad and good times. When we are in the lead cheer us motivate us to do more and when we are down, your cheers give us hope; so constant cheering is key,” he said
Jebor was refereeing to the poor attitude of Liberians going at games without the twelfth man, behind the home team.
The Liberian Captain also frowned at the manner in which the Cameroonian referee Blaise Y. Ngwa officiated the match.