MONROVIA, Montserrado – With the national team at the bottom of Group G in the 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers, Head Coach Thomas Kojo appears to be under pressure as he seeks to restore the Lone Star’s hopes of qualifying.

He has made major changes for the crucial encounter against Congo on Tuesday, October 16 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

The former Barrack Young Controller Football Club technical director has moved the 17-year-old Ashley Williams to start in goal ahead of Spanish-based goalkeeper Boison Wynney and fellow LISCR FC teammate, Tommy Songo.

Defenders Adolphus Marshall and Kemoh Kamara have also been replaced by LPRC Oilers’ duo, Aloysius Simujla and Alvin Marconnell. Meanwhile, Anthony Laffor, who came from the bench in Brazzaville, has returned to the starting team, replacing Saah Nyumah, who will start as substitute. William Jebor, Sam Johnson, Teah Dennis, Joel Johnson, Allen Njie and Murphy Oscar Dorley will retain their places in the first eleven.

The Lone Star lost the first leg 3-1 on Thursday October 11 in Brazzaville and Kojo didn’t hide his feelings about the team’s poor defending in the match.

“We lost. It’s football and anything can happen. We did our best but we couldn’t win,” Kojo said after the match. “The three goals came from crosses which we did not defend well. Defensively we were poor and we conceded.”

A win for Lone Star against Congo at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex will restore their hopes of qualification to the 2019 CAF African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.