Liberia, Black Meteors battle Wednesday

Liberia U-23 team will today host the Black Meteors of Ghana at the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

The game, which is the first leg of the 2004 Olympic qualifier, was earlier slated for June 15 in Monrovia but re-scheduled by FIFA.

The 2nd leg comes on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium, the same place Liberia loosed to Guinea a few days ago.

The world football governing body directed that the matches be played in Ghana due to insecurity in Monrovia.

A refugee-dominant Liberia team now has another daunting charge against a crack Ghana U-23 team.

A bandwagon of experience and foreign-based players are already available for Coach Burkhard Ziese team.

The German coach that failed to win against the Cranes of Uganda at the Kumasi Stadium Sunday looks for favor in the Black Meteors.

Lone Star already in the Ashanti Region will be depending on nearly everyone that were available for the ANC qualifier match against Guinea last Saturday in Accra.

South African-based James Lomell who failed to impress against the Guineans will have to regain form if the Liberians are to make an impact.

A couple of other potentials players absent from Saturday’s match are expected in the line-up, a technical member hinted Liberiansoccer.

In-form strikers Veto Sawyer and Aaron Cole are likely to join Amos Kicmett and Buston Browne in attack, while youthful goalkeeper George Pratt might replace Eric Glasgow in post.

Isaiah Benson might return in midfield with Sylvester Treah and James Lomell.

Wisseh Walker, Opea Myers will start as lateral defenders assisted by Tubman Johnson and Murphy Nagbe in the center.

Hunderd of Liberian living in the Ashanti region are expected to turnout to cheer the Lone Star to victory.

The five hour-drive distance from Accra might prevent thousands of refugees who might want to grab a glimpse of this dicey duel.