Group A wide open – Liberia coach


by Simba Mushati 02 September 2011, 16:39



Liberia coach Roberto Landi believes all the four teams in Group A are still in with a chance of snatching the automatic ticket to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Liberia, who are bottom of the Group with four points, play third placed Zimbabwe needing outright victory to keep alive outside chances of qualification.

Said Landi; “This is a crucial game for everybody because at this moment all four teams have the same chances to take the qualification spot.”

The Italian said he had confidence in the young players in his team and he was looking forward to Sunday’s game.

Cape Verde, who play Mali away on Saturday night, lead Group A with seven points. The Malians are a point behind in second place with two games more to play.

Zimbabwe held Liberia to a 1-1 draw in Monrovia in the reverse fixture last year.

But the Liberians have renewed confidence in a team that has evolved since then thanks to the infusion of several young stars.

Added Landi; “I have some good young players from abroad and they are capable of securing victory for us on Sunday.

“I have confidence in this group and I am sure they will have a good future. I don’t see any advantage for us in the absence of Knowledge Musona because Zimbabwe have a good team and they can come up with good solutions. But we are going into the match with only one result in mind – to win.”

South Africa based captain Antony Laffor, with his speed and eye for goal, could prove a handful for Zimbabwe.

The Lone Star also boast Sweden based forward Dioh Williams, Sekou Oliseh of CSKA Moscow and Francis Doe, who is on the books of Egyptians giants Al Ahly.