2022 CAF Interclub Competitions: Liberia’s Representatives Bow Out

Liberia’s representatives in the CAF inter-club competitions have been booted out, failing to cross the first preliminary rounds.

CAF Confederation cup representatives, LISCR FC were the first to bow out following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Ivorian champions SC Gagnoa at the Stade de Yamoussoukro. After a goalless draw in the first leg at the SKD Sports Stadium in Paynesville, LISCR were hopeful of a favorable away result.

It all started to fall in place for the Liberian FA Cup holder when midfielder Sheku Sheriff gave them the lead 14 minutes down the clock, but the home side leveled the score 0ne-all to bring the first half to a close.

Things went from bad to worse for LISCR after Gagnoa took the lead for the first time in the 51st minute.

LISCR seem to have lost focus, as they conceded the third goal six minutes later, ending their journey in the 2022 CAF Confederation Cup. Elsewhere in the CAF Champions League, champions Watanga also bowed out of the competition after a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Nigerian champions Rivers United.

Watanga’s debut in the competition was marred by a 3-0 defeat away at the Adokiye Amiesimaka International Stadium in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 

Coach Cooper Sannah and his boys were also hopeful of overturning the results in the second leg, requesting support from home fans to fill SKD sports stadium during the match. Unfortunately, things did not materialize. Watanga failed to utilize their opportunities in the first 45 minutes after taking the lead from a spot kick 15 minutes down the clock through Faserdu Logan.

The visitors took control of the second and made a couple of attempts on goal, but forward Logan’s lone goal remained the ultimate decider. Coach Sannah in his post-match reaction blamed the “bad condition of the pitch” in the first leg and the lack of experience from most of his players who were making their debut in the competition.