Liberia: Female U-20 Survives Nigeria Onslaught

[Richard Akindele]

The Liberia National Female U-20 on Saturday survived the onslaught of their more illustrious Nigerian counterpart when they snatched draw from the Nigeria's anticipated victory.

The intriguing battle, which was played at a packed Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS), was the first leg of the third and final round of the FIFA Women qualifiers to see who books one of the two African tickets to the U-20 Women World Cup in Russia in August 2006.

Liberia's Decontee Syon's own goal after 67 minutes sent the visitors in a buoyant mood.

But Christina Myers soon silenced them when she turned the sorrow of many Liberians in to joy; thanks to a terrific volley against the run of play two minutes later.

But due credit for host's draw must go to their eccentric goalie Mamie Karmara, who stood between the Nigerians and total disgrace.

The promising goalie made more than twelve nerve wrecking saves to deny the adventurous Nigerians, in a virtually one sided contest the visitors enjoyed a lion share of possession with most part of the game being played in the half of the female Lone Star.

Mamie Karmara indeed made saves, and at times had to operate as a back sweeper to rescue her side.

Both teams employed the 4-4-2 formation in an attempt to get a foot in Russia.

The Nigerians, under the tutelage of Emmanuel Tetteh Okonkwo, attacked in droves, while the Liberians, under helmsmanship of Lucretious Togba, defended in numbers, as the match can be described as attack against defense.

Parading two professional players based in Finland, the visitors were handful in most of the attack and can count themselves unlucky not to pull a win.

Their goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluetti, was on a virtual holiday, while speeding wingers Uwak Cynthia and Lwuagu Akudo out paced their markers, Decontee Sayon and Barzaon Barwu to provide width for the deadly duo of Ishola Tawa and Chikwelu Rita.

But it was the ever reliable goalie Karmara who prevented them from reaching the back of the net.

Due to incessant pressure when the score line was 1-1, she sustained an injury, and was replaced by Miatta Jallabah, amid heavy applaud from thousands fans at the ATS.

The visitors took the midfield, as they kept their opponents on the back foot.

However, the Liberia female U-20 Ghanaian based striker Amelia Washington was a disappointment and had to be substituted.

Kpannah Sayon was disservice, as the host game lacked width and penetration.

After several on goal attempts, the visitors broke the deadlock when Decontee Sayon's attempt to head-away a Chikwelu Rita's short went in her own goal to put the visitors ahead after 67minutes.

The substitute striker Bendu Goi made angle run to the left and released teammate Christiana Myers whose close range volley beat the opponent's goalie 120 seconds later.

This was a pretty clean game as there were no yellow cards to either side, despite some talking point in the officiating of the Ivorian and Gambia match officials.

The second leg comes on May 13 in Nigeria. A win or a 0-0 draw takes them to Russia while Liberia will need a win or a 2-2 draw to reach Russia in just their debut outing.

Judging from the Nigerian pedigree, the female U-20 of Liberia showed promising valor on Saturday and sporting authorities must be keen in developing female football at all levels in spite of what happens during the second leg.

Source: The Analyst

[Richard Akindele]

Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Liberia in the first leg playoffs for the Women's U-20 World Championships in Monrovia on Saturday.
Nigeria's women opened the scoring in the 64th minute through substitute striker Stella Godwin but Liberia equalised moments later through Christiana Myers.

Nigeria dominated proceedings and missed many opportunities to put the game beyond their Liberian opponents.

But they were denied by the excellent goalkeeping skills of Mammie Kamara.

Nigeria's coach Emmanuel Okwonkwo admitted after the game that they had not anticipated such stiff opposition.

"The Liberians surprised us but were are confident of being victorious in the second leg," he said.

Liberia's Sports Minister, James-Etta Wolokollie told BBC Sport she was elated by the result which showed the class and determination of the side.

She expressed confidence that they could surprise Nigeria at home in the return leg in a fortnight.
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