Liberia’s national U20 team has been left with a mountain to climb in the ongoing WAFU U20 Nations Cup after failing to win their first game in the competition against the Gambia.
What many thought would have been revenge for Liberia’s U20 turned out to be another defeat to the Gambia. Despite having the experience of Ashley Williams, Edward Ledlum, Jeremy Saygbe, and Ben Beniah, the Junior Lone Star team was unable to take away at least a point as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Young Scorpions on Wednesday, November 27 in Conakry, Guinea.
After a goalless draw in the full 90 minutes, Momodou Bojang scored in the first minute of added time to put the Gambia ahead. Bojang, who was left unmarked at the edge of the six-yard box, was on time to receive a cross from the left to beat Ashley Williams in goal.
The Gambia now tops Group B with four points from two games, having drawn with Mali in their first game. With Guinea Bissau pulling out of the tournament, Liberia didn’t play in the round one matches. Liberia previously lost to the Gambia in the 2018 WAFU U20 Nations Cup final in Monrovia.
The current loss to the Gambia means Liberia must win against Mali to make the group stage. Like the match against the Gambia, it will be the Lone Star’s second game against Mali’s U20 team since 2018. The two met during the 2018 WAFU U20 Nations Cup group stage, with Liberia getting a 1-0 win at the Samuel Kanyon Sports Complex. Musa Kebbay scored the only goal to help Liberia win against Mali.  Liberia’s match against Mali will take place on Monday, December 2.
Featured photo courtesy of Charles Massalay
