Friends reunited
at Accra Stadium
By Bruce Wiah-Liberiansoccer.com
June 18,2003
For the second time in less than a year, Liberia and fraternal sister
country, Guinea, will meet Saturday at the Accra Sports Stadium in
what is expected to be a reunion match rather than an ANC qualifier.
Ghana as the venue
Since the inception of the Liberian civil crisis a little over a
decade ago, Ghana continues to play a mother’s role in ensuring that
Liberia comes back on its rightful footing.
This largesse of Ghana for most Liberians has restored a large amount
of optimism on both the political and social scenes.
Ghana, now hosting bewildered Liberian politicians and warring
factions to help broker peace in the Liberian crisis, is also hosting
this grueling encounter in continuance of Tunisia 2004 qualifiers.
Both teams are fierce contenders for place in Group 2 and are tied six
points apiece though separated on goals.
Ghana approval
It’s the second time the Ghanaian Football Association has agreed to
have the Lone Star utilize the Accra Sports Stadium as its home
ground.
In 1996, Liberia hosted Egypt, Tunisia, the Gambia and Togo in series
of continental matches when Monrovia was lit to rebels wars.
Another rebels attempted siege on Monrovia that almost barred the
Liberia-Ethiopia match a week plus ago means that Liberia is unsafe
playing at home, understandably.
Besides, the Ghanaian FA had made a formal appeal to FIFA to
reschedule the Black Meteors’ June 15, 2003 Olympic qualifiers against
Liberia because of insecurity in Monrovia.
In spite of clean memoirs of a 3-1 dripping of the Black Stars in
Accra in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, the GFA had no second thoughts
on another request by the Liberia FA to use their facility.
A six-week old Premier League and the closure of the OSU Stand at the
Accra Sports Stadium for renovation albeit could have triggered
disapproval.
Ghana, according to our information, will cater for both Liberia and
Guinea, which disbursement will be repaid by FIFA at a later date.
Home support
Certainly, Liberia will enjoy a substantial amount of home support
when she hosts Guinea at the Accra Sports Stadium Saturday.
Nonetheless, the support would be far removed from what the SKD
Complex in Monrovia would have witnessed, the team will still have
their fans behind them.
With over 25,000 Liberian refugees spun out in Ghana and several still
pouring into the country due to recent skirmishes in Monrovia, what
more could be expected of a massive turnout.
Quite familiar with the terrain, most of the old faces in the Liberian
team must make sure that they are available for the Saturday duel to
sustain their chances of qualification.
In the mean, the locals are in high strength of mind scoring a
valuable 1-0 win over Ethiopia in Monrovia two weeks ago.
And fielding them might bear out, after all Liberia will have no
choice when the experience players are unavailable.
Whatsoever the options are, playing at what is considered a home gives
that home team a lot more responsibility, something the Liberian team
need not be reminded of.
Psychological football
Outside football, Guinea and Liberia remains two red-hot political
enemies that have been fuelled by the latest rebels attacks on
Monrovia.
Taking on Guinea in Monrovia before 35,000 fans would have dejected
and demoralized them to some extent as compare to hosting them in
another country.
But relieved by the shifting of Stadium gives the Guineans nothing to
be startled about, thereby making the match a bit more strenuous for
the Liberian team.
Unlike the Liberian team, Guinea moreover boasts an experience team
that is capable of claiming the result most needed.
A draw for Guinea will consolidate their grips on top of the group if
Ethiopia fails to beat Niger in Addis Ababa.
Liberia’s hope
Liberia dynamic 1-0 win over Ethiopia as rebels tried to take the
capital shares its hope to reach the African Nations Cup finals for
the third time.
Outstandingly, the role of the locals when most of the overseas
celebrities scrambled for sanctuary clearly showed that football is
somewhat unpredictable.
Heroism at home from home, is the least the locals and the selected
players could do for desperate Liberians when they engage Guinea
Saturday in Accra.
With just two goals separating Liberia and Guinea in a group where the
points are shared evenly, scoring a little more than in previous
matches will increase their hopes.
It’s an opportunity to payback the 3-0 trouncing sustained in Conakry
in their first meeting and to
lead the group for the first time.
|
|
