Liberia coach Kojo focused on set pieces

Liberia are at the bottom of Group G and if they lose to Congo Brazzaville at home on Tuesday they will be out of contention to qualify for Afcon 2019

Liberia Coach Thomas Kojo has defended the changes he has made to his team ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Congo Brazzaville.

The Lone Star coach has dropped Mamelodi Sundowns forward Anthony Laffor, 17-year-old goalkeeper Ashley Williams, Alvin Maccornel and defender Aloysius Simujla.

In the 3-1 loss to Congo Brazzaville last Thursday, Liberia conceded all three goals from crosses and set pieces.

“We are going to make changes in central defence. In terms of communication from the goalkeeper to the central defenders we did not do well in the last game,” said Kojo at the pre-match press conference.

“As the coach I am responsible for the team. When the team loses I take full responsibility because I am in charge. I did not come into this press conference to blame the players. So when I say we lost because of poor defending, it’s the reality.

“You all watched what happened. But those things happen in football. But again I take the responsibility as the coach and I have to make sure that those things are corrected.

“We have been training on how to defend set pieces to make sure those mistakes will not be repeated. From my technical side I have been talking to the players about that from Brazzaville, about the principles of defending.”

Liberia are winless in this campaign, having lost 3-0 to Zimbabwe and 3-1 to Congo Brazzaville. Their only point came from a draw with DR Congo 1-1 at home last month.