MONROVIA, Montserrado – From leading LISCR Football Club to the 2019 FA Cup and a second place in the 2019 Liberia Football Association first division league by finishing as the highest scorer in both competitions, Christopher Jackson is creating a name for himself with the Liberian national team by scoring goals.
Less than a week after scoring to help Liberia draw 1-1 away at Equatorial Guinea, Jackson wrote his name in the history book of Liberian football by scoring the only goal that gave Liberia its first win over Senegal.
Lone Star defeated the Terenga Lions on Sunday, July 28 in the first leg of the 2020 African Nations Championship preliminary qualifying round. A late goal by Christopher Jackson was enough to give Liberia the lead heading to the second leg in Dakar on August 3.
One change was made from the team that drew away at Equatorial Guinea, with Sam Jackson starting from the bench while Farsedu Logan got a place among the first eleven. Prince Wlame continued his role in the goal as well as Daniel Woto and Nuwo Johnson on the left and right-back positions. In central defense,
Alvin Maccornel and Dirkir Glay were again paired while Ebenezer Solo, Armah Vaikainah, and Isaac Pupo played in the midfield. Christopher Jackson started as the lone striker assisted by Edward Ledlum and Farsedu Logan on the wings.
Liberia’s lineup against Senegal. Photo: T. Kla Wesley Jr.
The first half was not particularly flattering for the Lone Star, who was pressured by the Senegalese to manage only one shot, which was off target. Lone Star was forced to do an early substitution after Dirkir Glay picked up a hamstring injury. He was replaced by his LISCR FC teammate Kemoh Kamara, who partnered with Maccornel in central defense for the rest of the match.
In the second half, Isaac Pupo and Farsedu Logan were replaced by Sam Jackson and Terry Sackor as the Lone Star went back to its traditional 4-4-2 formation, which helped them mount pressure on Senegal. However, they failed to convert any of their chances to goal and it all appeared like the match was heading to a goalless draw until the 90th minute when Christopher Jackson scored with a header. Sam Jackson’s cross from the right side of the pitch delivered well on the head of Armah Vaikainah before landing on the head of Jackson, who got it at the back of the net.
The Senegalese failed to get the score leveled until the final whistle, as the Liberians left the Antoinette Tubman Stadium celebrating a 1-0 win. It was Liberia’s first victory over their West African counterparts, having lost eight and drawn five from their previous 13 meetings.
The Lone Star must defend their narrow win in the return leg if they are to reach the next round. A draw away at Senegal would be enough to see them progressing to the next round.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
