Africa-Press – Liberia. The National Football team of Liberia group for the 2023 African cup of nations qualifier has been reduced from four teams to three teams.
Liberia has been paired in Group K of the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with South Africa, Morocco, Zimbabwe.
But following the elimination of Zimbabwe from the qualifiers of the continent’s premier competition for Men’s National Team’s the group will not consist of three teams.
According to release from CAF on Monday May 23,2023 Zimbabwe were sanctioned by FIFA for a third party (political) involvement.
A statement from CAF said “As a consequence of having failed to have their suspensions by FIFA set aside, CAF has confirmed that both Kenya and Zimbabwe will not participate in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 qualifiers”,.
CAF had included them in the official draw earlier in April 2022 on condition that the suspension must be lifted two weeks before their first match day.
Kenya and Zimbabwe we’re suspended for political interference, and is yet to met the criteria required by the FIFA Congress as a prerequisite for lifting their suspension” CAF statement said.
Despite the decision, two teams (first and runner-ups) will book tickets from the Group for the final tournament set to take place in neighboring Cote D’Ivoire next year.
The qualifying series will begin in June and Liberia will kick start their journey to the 2023 AFCON finals against Morocco (a home game that will take place on Moroccan soil).
Lone Star has not been able to play at home due to the banned on the Samuel K. Doe Sports complex by CAF and FIFA.
On paper, the penultimate qualifiers for Ivory Coast 2023 ought to be a difficult zone for Liberia but given the strides otherwise, minnows have made in the beautify games, it may turn out a tricky one for Morocco and South Africa.
2002.
South Africa who failed to qualify for the 2022 Afcon in Cameroon, won by Senegal, recently
Morocco’s only Afcon title came in 1976 and their best finish since was second in 2004
Liberia will be hoping to secure maximum points and finished the qualifier as one of the best two teams.
The last time the Lone Star participated in the finals of the nations cup was back in 2002 when the current chief patron of Sports George Weah was playing actively.
2002.
South Africa who failed to qualify for the 2022 Afcon in Cameroon, won by Senegal, recently
African first independent Nations has been at to nations cup making it’s debut at South Africa 1996 and Mali 2002.
Below is Liberia’s head-to-head records vs their opponents for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Morocco
The Liberia and Morocco have met three times. Liberia lost two and won one. Liberia scored three goals and conceded nine.
1981- Morocco 3-1 Liberia
1981 – Liberia 0-5 Morocco
1987 – Liberia 2-1 Morocco
South Africa
Liberia and South Africa have met twice. Liberia lost one and drew one. Liberia scored two and conceded three.
2000- South Africa 2-1 Liberia
2001- Liberia 1-1 South Africa
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