By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Leone Stars’ Head Coach John Keister has expressed great optimism about a positive result against Super Eagles of Nigeria despite missing key names in his squad.
John Edward Keister said, “I feel a lot better with the boys as to the team Campingat the Southern Arena doing their training session, and what the boys are learning ahead as to match approach in such situation facing one of the powerhouse Nation in Africa Football and that is Nigeria.”
He affirmed that this time around it was not about giving excuses concerning the squad but rather keeping ourselves focused ahead of the clash against the Super Eagles.
Coach Keister described the upcoming match as turf considering the players the Nigeria team have and what is presently at hand with his squad being hit with injuries and the absence of some key players ahead of the clash. Noting that they going there to compete against Nigeria and they are not going there just to lie down, because the match is crucial hope of Leone Stars making it to the next AFCON qualifiers.
He further that, the technical team knows the significance of this match and their hope is that the players, the boys know it is challenging playing against Nigeria looking at the squad playing in top-tier leagues around the world, but again it is a good time as he has been in such a situation when they last played against a star-studded side of Nigeria in 2001 World Cup qualifiers when the Leone Stars defeated the Super Eagles by a goal to nil in Freetown at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
The Gaffer said his side is determined as the team officially pitched camp in Bo City ahead of Match-day 5. The crucial AFCON 2023 Qualifying encounter is scheduled for June 18 at the S. K. D. Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia.
Keister said as a technical team they looking at active local players and the bulk of them will make the squad because of the domestic league that is currently ongoing, and that is helping to get some of the players.
Currently, Nigeria is leading, Group A with nine points, two above second-placed Guinea -Bissau, Nigeria has its sights firmly set on securing qualification to the AFCON 2023.