Liberia and the
2006 Qualifiers
Current FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking:
108
Since making its second entry into the World Cup qualifiers in 1982,
Liberia has come close to qualifying for this premium football event
on two occasions.
But if the 1990 qualifiers was a hoax, then, the 2001 qualifiers
should have been a history-making occurrence especially in their own
vineyard with champagne being served.
In the 1990 qualifiers, Liberia ’s 0-1 loss to Kenya in Nairobi
spirited Egypt to win against Malawi for the group’s berth.
But of all memories, Ghana ’s 2-1 charm in the 2002 qualifiers match
in Liberia ’s pathetic match throughout the qualifiers, confirms the
fact that football knows no logic.
Liberia’s 2006 opponents
Ranking 108 in the latest FIFA chart, Liberia also ranks 5 th in
Group 1, but the threats Liberia are noted for appear enormous
having had toothed romances with four of the five Group’s opponents.
Senegal : FIFA ranking 31
The Teranga Lions are the group’s favorites with an outstanding 2002
World Cup appearance and a long list of high-quality players.
In 1995, Liberia went down 0-3 in Dakar the last time both teams
met, but the loss was insignificant as Liberia went on to qualify
for South Africa ’96 along with Tunisia .
Coach: Guy Stephan - Key players: Hadji Diouf & Henri Camara
(England/France)
Mali : FIFA ranking 56
The Les Aigles are no outsiders to Liberia , and the two teams met
three times in the last decade plus, with Liberia yet to record a
win against the Malians.
Mali eliminated Liberia 5-1 on aggregate in the 1990 African Cup
preliminary and their 1-1 draw at the 2002 Africa Cup finals are
important figures to reflect on.
Coach: Christian Dalger - Key players: Seydou Keita & Mahamdou
Diarra (France)
Zambia : FIFA ranking 68
The Chipolopolo are the isolated strangers and it is unheard of for
now whether both teams have met in their few decades.
But George Weah and Kalusha Bwalya - two former African best players
have a score to settle.
Kalusha Bwalya’s envied the World football mega star of being
unqualified for the 1995 FIFA Player of the year title after Liberia
’s crash in the group stage at South Africa ‘96.
Coach: Kalusha Bwalya - Key Players: Moses Sichone & Gift Kampamba
(Germany/Russia)
Togo : FIFA ranking 97
The Les Eperviers -Hawks like the Teranga Lions suffered grave
setbacks in the run to South Africa ’96 against Liberia .
Their only win against Liberia in decades came ‘97/98 winning 4-0 in
an exceedingly scandalous success played in Lome.
Meanwhile, the Togolese might be looking for something else having
neutralizing five Brazilian players and boast a Brazilian Coach.
Coach: Antonio Dumas - Key players: Alessando Faria & Jefferson de
Souza (France)
Congo Republic : FIFA ranking 111
The Diables Rouges - Simbas red devils first lose to Liberia in the
60’s in Monrovia courtesy of a Samuel Burnett’s goal.
But their worse defeat in recent history was handed them by Liberia
loosing 6-1 on aggregate in the 2002 African Cup qualifiers.
Coach: Alain Ngouinda - Key player: Landry Mologno (Local &
suspended by CAF)
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