Releases 23-Man Squad For Eagles

BY JOHNNY EDWARD

Lone Star head coach Joseph Kaetu Smith has talked up his team's chances against Nigeria as he played down his side's 1-0 defeat in an international friendly away to the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea in Malabo last week.

Smith told the media in Monrovia that his charges will be fully prepared for the Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria which he believes is a must-win for Liberia.

"The match was a mere friendly and did not matter," Smith said.

"Nigeria isn't like before. They are living in the past, if Guinea could qualify at their expense in the last AFCON qualifier, Liberia can do same too," he boasted.

"Nigeria only have names like John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Victor Nsofor, etc, but do not have a team and are no longer fearful side."

 Meanwhile, Smith has left out the trio of Francis Doe, Anthony Laffour and Dioh Williams from his 23-man squad to face the Super Eagles in the first leg of 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier in Monrovia on 9 September.

The three players missed the team's 1-0 away loss to the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea in an international friendly on August 15, and have been ruled out of the friendly clash against Malawi in Monrovia.

Doe of Malaysian Terranganu and Williams of BK Hacken of Sweden are Liberia's two top scorers with three goals each but remain expelled after breaking camp prior to the second leg clash with Namibia, along with Mamelodi Sundowns winger Laffour who has been a key Lone Star.

The coach has called up six players from Indonesia, 10 from the Liberian local league and seven European-based players.

Players from Indonesia who will be in the line up for the Nigeria clash include: Edward Junior Wilson (Semeng Padang),Eddie Boikai,Eric Lewis (Persiwa Wamena),James Koko Lomell (Deltras),Abel Quioh (Persisan) Zah Rahan Krangar (Persipura).

The locals based players include Solomon Wesseh, Sekou Manubah, Musa Dagbarson of (LPRC Oilers),Teah Dennis, Jr. of Barrack Young Controllers, Nathaniel Sherman of Roots FC,Isaac Zola Pupo, James Soto Roberts,Trokon Zeon of LISCR FC, Gally James and Mulbah Urey of Watanga and BYC respectively;  while the Europe based professionals are Sekou Oliseh-CSKA Moscow, Patrick Wleh-Sime, Alseny Keita-(US Monasaart, France),Theo Lewis Weeks-(Goztepe),Omega Roberts Alamadine- (FK Smederevo),Jimmy Dixon (Manisaspor),Patrick Nyema Gerdhardt- (Melbroune Heart, Australia).

Meanwhile,the team's captain George Gebro left for trials in Sweden on Monday and it is not certain whether he will be back for the Nigeria clash.