By Jerome C.Willie,Jr., boyzwill26@gmail.com
Cell #: (+231)886-406-197/ (+231) 776-084-828
The Lone Star Of Liberia and the Atlas Lion Of Morocco clash in the second game of Group K, a game the Atlas Lion Of Morocco was favorite to win comfortably by many football pundits and fans.
The game, though it was a home game for the Lone Star Of Liberia, took place at the Stade Mohammed V Stadium in Morocco on Monday, 13 June at 7PM Liberian Time.
The Lone Star of Liberia and the Atlas Lion Of Morocco play to a goalless draw at halftime in front of the 45,000 capacity Stadium.
The Atlas Lion of Morocco struggled to make any impact in the firts half of the match but got total control of ball possession with over 65% ball possession with four attempts all of which were off target along with two free kicks with the Lone Star of Liberia only having two attempts which were off target too.
Back from recess after the first early minutes of the second half, after Liberia spirit were eventually broken in the second half.
The tatician of the Lone Star of Liberia Coach Peter Butker did a double substitution with Justin Salmon along with Moussa Sannoh introduce for Marcus Macualey and Mark Pabai at which time the Atlas Lion of Morocco converted a goal from the penalty spot after substitute Moussa Sannoh was found guilty by bringing down Amine Harit in the box. The decision appeared contentious, though.
Turkish-based Faycal Fajr scores from the penalty spot to give the visitor the lead in the 56th minute but the goal broke the Lone Star of Liberia spirit as they conceded a second goal from a beautiful assit to Spain-based player Youssef En- Nesyri with a clinical finish to make it 2-0 for the visitor in the 57th minute with full time ending in favor of Morocco.
The defeat was Liberia first defeat in the 2023 AFCON Qualifier.
Morocco leads the three-team group, having coming from a goal down to pin South Africa 2-1 at the Stade Moulay Abdullah Stadium in Rabat on 9 June.
The game on 13 June was watch by the LFA Boss Mustapha Raji and Excutive Committee Member Cyrus Yeaney who’s head the delegation along with Andy Quamie Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Youth & Sports.
Liberia next fixture is against South Africa in an away fixture in September.