Filed in by Olando Testimony Zeongar
Monrovia – Liberia’s newly appointed coach, Thomas Kojo has released a list of 13 foreign-based players recalled for the country’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against DR Congo on 9 September in Monrovia.
Recently announced as the replacement for James Debbah whose contract as manager of the Liberian men’s senior national football squad expired in March, Coach Kojo, had previously selected some 25 local-based players, who are expected to form part of his training plans, as he selects a final squad to face the Leopards of DR Congo.
Seated in Group-G of the AFCON-2019, along with Zimbabwe, Congo Brazzaville, and DR Congo, the Lone Star began the journey to Cameroon on a rather sloppy note, falling to Zimbabwe 0-3 in Harare, on 11 June. The Warriors of Zimbabwe tops the Group, with three points and three goals, following a home win over the Lone Star. DR. Congo sits in second place in the Group, after the Leopards pounced on her neighbors, the Red Devils of Congo, Brazzaville 3-1, at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on 10 June.
The Liberian side needs a win in Monrovia against DR Congo, to bring alive her hope of a third Nations Cup appearance, since 16 years ago, when she last showed up for her second time at the glamorous African soccer fiesta.
In Coach Kojo’s call-up, he named 21-year-old goalkeeper Boison Wynney de Souza, of Spanish side Real Club Deportivo Mallorca, based in Palma, in the Balearic Islands. Wynney de Souza’s club currently plays in the Segunda División.
Coach Kojo also recalled the following defenders: 25-year-old Joel Johnson, who plies his trade in the United Soccer League as a right-back for American club Charlotte; Teah Dennis, the experienced 26-year-old central defender who is currently without a club and 26-year-old left-back, Adolphus Nagbe Marshall of Gudja United FC of Malta.
Midfielders recalled by Coach Kojo include Newcastle’s Under-23 central midfielder, 19-year-old Mohammed Sangare; 20-year-old Oscar Murphy Dorley, who plays in the Czech First League for FC Slovan Liberec; and former Lone Star Captain, 33-year-old Anthony Snoti Laffor, who plies his trade in South Africa for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Forwards recalled by the Lone Star coach are: the younger brother of Liberian international Alex Nimely, 19-year-old Sylvanus Nimely who plays as a forward for the Russian Premier League side FC Spartak Moscow; 25-year-old Sam Johnson who plays for Vålerenga in Norway; 22-year-old Seku Conneh of South Korean side Ansan Greeners; 26-year-old William Jebor who plays in Morocco for Wydad Casablanca; 20-year-old Terrence Tisdell of Mozambican club side CD Costa do Sol; and in-form 26-year-old Kpah Sherman who plays for MISC-MIFA in the Malaysian Liga Premier.
Meanwhile, Coach Kojo’s pick from the local scene are:
1. Tommy Songo – LISCR FC
2. Ashley Williams -LISCR FC
3. Ishaka Jalloh -Barrack Young Controller (BYC).
Defenders:
4. Karleo Anderson-Bea Mountain,
5. Jeremy Saygbe-BYC
6. Prince Wilson -Nimba United
7.Aloysius Simujla -LPRC Oilers
8. Prince Jetoh- Barrack Young Controller (BYC).
9. Alvin Marconnel -LPRC Oilers
10. Kemoh Kamara -LISCR FC
11. Rolando Dahn – Watanga FC.
12. Hilton Varney- LISCR
Midfielders are:
13. Saah Nyumah- LISCR FC
14. Ebenezer Solo- LPRC Oilers
15. Cutis Koon -Monrovia Club Breweries
16. Yaya Bility – Barrack Young Controller (BYC)
17. Sheku Sheriff –LISCR
18. Allen Njie -LISCR FC.
19. Sam Jackson –Barrack Young Controller (BYC)
20. Edward Ledlum -LISCR FC.
Strikers are:
21. Mustapha Lomell- BYC,
22. Sam Kollie- LISCR FC,
23. Musa Kebbah -Bea Mountain
24. Chauncey Freeman -Watanga FC.
25. Mark Paye- LISCR.
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, known as the Total 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, is scheduled to be the 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial international men’s football championship of Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football(CAF).
The tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon, and the competition will be held in June and July of next year, as per the decision of the CAF Executive Committee on 20 July 2017 to move the AFCON from January/February to June/July for the first time. It will also be the first Africa Cup of Nations expanded from 16 to 24 teams.
For the first time since 1972, Cameroon will host the competition. They are also the title holders after winning the previous edition.
