Liberia coach vows ‘to make South Africa suffer’ in Monrovia

Liberia national team coach Ansu Keita has vowed to make South Africa suffer when they visit Monrovia on Tuesday.

Bafana Bafana have their work cut out in Monrovia when they visit Liberia on Tuesday. Hosting the West Africans at Orlando Stadium, they blew a 2-0 lead. The match ended in a 2-2 draw on Friday night in an AFCON qualifier.

An understandably buoyant Keita made it clear there was no way Bafana would come out of the Samuel K. Doe Stadium unscathed.

CAF-SANCTIONED SKD STADIUM

For the first time in three years, Liberia’s senior national team will play at home after CAF sanctioned the SKD Stadium – a secure venue only 15 minutes away from Monrovia’s central business district.

Keita is convinced his charges are more prepared than South Africa, having spent the last month with the team in camp.

Ahead of the back-to-back qualifiers, Keita had been in camp with a 25-member, home-based Lone Star team since February 7.

“South Africa is bigger than us, in football, everywhere, but we are more prepared than them at this time – mentally, physically and tactically. I’m not pushing it. I’m telling you the truth. At home, we’re prepared,” Keita boldly said after the 2-2 draw.

Contrary to reports that the game would be played at 2pm in the scorching heat of Monrovia, Keita said the game was at 4pm.

“The game is not at 2pm; it’s at 4pm Liberian time [which is 6pm South African]. The pitch is artificial. I don’t believe that [is an advantage to Liberia]. 

LIBERIA COACH SAYS THEY’LL MAKE SOUTH AFRICA SUFFER

“It’s an advantage for both teams. But what I’m telling you is the tactical strategy that we will use to make South Africa to suffer. 

“We’re not going to choke. We’re going to play. No matter what happens, we will play,” he said.

The winner of the return leg clash will be in a good position to qualify for next year’s edition of the AFCON. 

Morocco are top of Group K with six points after beating both Bafana and Liberia in the opening two matches of the qualifiers. 

They are still to play Liberia at home and Bafana in South Africa. 

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