Thursday, 11 November 2021

How it panned out the last time Liberia hosted Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier 21 years ago

Christopher Wreh double wreck the Super Eagles the last time Liberia hosted Nigeria In a World Cup qualifier 21 years ago. 


The Super Eagles will file out on Saturday (13 November 2021) away to Liberia in the 2022 World Cup in Tangier, Morrocco. 


The clash will be the third time the lone stars will be hosting their Nigeria counterparts in a World Cup qualifier, with both sides winning one apiece.

Nigeria won It the first time Liberia hosted the Super Eagles a World Cup qualifier in 1984 by 1-0 in Monrovia en route to Mexico 86. 

The last time Liberia hosted Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier, the host shock the Super Eagles by 2-1 in a match played on the 9th of July 2000 in Monrovia at the Samuel Doe Stadium.  

The Super Eagles were fresh from the African Cup Of Nations where the team finished second at the Ghana/Nigeria 2000 and everyone expected the Super Eagles to enjoy a walk in the park on matchday 2 of the 2002 World Cup qualifier.  


But the Liberians were desperate to shock a fellow West African brother who stood by the country during the country's civil war which took the lives of many people.  

A victory will be a sign of victory for George Weah, who took it upon himself to rebuild the team and ensure that the country is reunited through football by spending his hard-earned money through playing professional football on the team.  


The 1995 Balon Dior winner used to be ' the FA, 'the coach, the motivator ' and the team's utility player. 

He adapted to any role available as long it will help the ambition of putting Liberia on the World map for positive things once again and playing at the FIFA World Cup is one of the cardinals of achieving that. 

The fact that the team has been together for over five years having played in the 1996 Nations Cup, no one sees them as a threat to the Super Eagles but they always have a chance especially with the bonding and spirit in the team. 

The Super Eagles remain the favourite going into the match despite the team going through transition after coming second at the Ghana/Nigeria 2000 African Cup Of Nations.  

Coach Bonfrere Jo lined up all foreign-based players which include Goalkeeper Ndubuisi Egbo, with Rabiu Afolabi, Christopher Kanu, Godwin Okpara and Chikelue Iloanusi forming the four men defensive line. 

The midfield pivoted on the duo of Sunday Oliseh, the team captain, Jay Jay Okocha, while the attack has and Garba Lawal and Pius Ikedia on the left and right wings respectively with Kanu Nwankwo playing behind Benedict Akwuegbu as the main striker in a 4-2-4 formation.  


The Liberians have the likes of Christopher Wreh, Joe Nagbe, George Gebro, Kelvin Sebwe, etc alongside the luxury of George Weah The Lone Stars is filled with decent players in every position as the era could pass for the beat generation of Liberia footballers. 

Just four minutes into the game, Joe Nagbe set George Weah on Goal, who picked Christoper Wreh in a cool position and the striker finished with a plumb to give the host the lead in the 4th minute to end the first half by 1-0. 

Before the Super Eagles could get back into the game when the second half resumes, Christopher wreh delivered the goal that wrecked the Super Eagles three minutes after the resumption of play.

The goal sent the full capacity stadium into a frenzy as the shout of goal vibrated the four walls of the stands at the Samuel Doe Stadium as their local heroes are 'disgracing ' the African giant' to the delight of the fans at the Stadium and on the streets of the Monrovia. 

Sunday Oliseh responded barely a minute after and by reducing the deficit for Nigeria in the 49th minute but the Lone Stars kept their discipline and win the game by 2-1 after ninety minutes. 

The introduction of Henry Nwosu and Henry Nwuzuirike couldn't do much after the coach introduced them to help the Super Eagles attack, replacing Akwuegbu and Pius Ikeda respectively. 

The Liberians shot to the lead in the group and remain on top until the final day, but they lost the return leg to Nigeria in Port Harcourt by 2-0 and a surprise loss to Ghana in Monrovia slipped off the World Cup ticket off their hand.

Nigeria defeated Ghana in the final of the qualifier to overtake the Liberians on the standings with 16 points to 15 points after eight matches after Amodu Shuaibu of blessed memory replaced Bonfrere Jo along the line to win three games on the bounce and became the first indigenous coach to qualify Nigeria to the FIFA World Cup.  


Unlike 31 years ago, the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier will take place in Tangier Morrocco as no Stadium is good enough to host the match in Monrovia.  


The Super Eagles need to avoid a defeat to ease their qualification process to the final round while the Liberians are o of the race already only have national pride at stake. 

The match will kick off by 5 pm local time on Saturday evening.

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