MONROVIA, Montserrado – Liberia’s under 20 football team on Sunday, April 3, lost to their Guinean counterparts 2-0 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Central Monrovia.

The match was part of the first round of matches for the Zambia 2017 U-20 African Youth Championship Qualifier.

A brace from Ibrahim Sylla was enough to hand Guinea an easy win over Liberia, who performed very poorly throughout the match.

Guinea’s Ibrahim Sylla. Photo: T. Kla Wesley Jr

Head coach Christopher Wreh’s starting team was anchored by two overseas players, Holland-based Omaru Fofana and Czech Republic-based attacker Sylvanus Nimely, both of who failed to reveal themselves as top attackers.

New Hope FC’s defender Titus Yeah made several mistakes that created room for Ibrahim Sylla to score twice in the presence of the Chief Patron of Sports, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Liberia’s closest chance and only chance in the first half, came in the 7^th minute, from David Tweh who fired from outside the penalty area, but was denied by Guinean goalkeeper Sekuoba Camara, who pounded the ball outside for a corner.

The Guineans controlled much of the play in the first half and prevented a sluggish Liberia from getting a goal in the first half.

Back from the first half break, Liberia introduced FC Fassell forward Terrance Tisdell and England-based midfielder Alieu Sheriff, whose introduction made no difference for the home team.

Liberia was given a second chance at a goal when Sylvanus Nimely created a penalty in the 74th minute. But Monrovia Club Breweries’ captain Melvin Blapoh failed to seize upon the opportunity and kicked a weak ball, which Camara easily collected.

The Guineans took hold of the entire second half of the match, enjoying possession away from home.

The result has left Wreh and his technical team with more work to do in the return leg, as they will have to score three goals without conceding any if they are to advance to the next round.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Assistant Coach Oliver Makor assured fans that the team would work in the coming days to cover their weaknesses.

Liberia’s Under 20 Assistant Coach Oliver Makor. Photo: T. Kla Wesley, Jr.

“It’s really disappointing to lose at home by a two-goal margin,” he said. “We weren’t at our best. We didn’t play a good match. Now, we have lots of work to do. We know that. We will have to work on our lapses and come back stronger in the return leg.”

Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.