Liberia’s top star, Sekou Oliseh
MTNFOOTBALL.COM
Ahead of the crucial 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier, Liberia’s top star, Sekou Oliseh, has warned Nigeria to brace up for a tough battle in Monrovia when the Super Eagles file out against the Lone Star on September 8.
The gifted CSKA Moscow of Russia forward played in Nigeria after he was adopted by football agent, Churchill Oliseh, older brother of former Nigeria skipper Sunday Oliseh.
He will now be expected to lead the charge of the country of his birth against the Super Eagles for a place in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by South Africa.
Oliseh who describes Nigeria as “my second country”, told MTNFootball.com from his Russian club’s pre-season training base that he expects an interesting clash in Monrovia.
“It is going to be an explosive game. I will not only play against Ahmed Musa, my best friend and team mate in Russia, but I will also be facing my second country.
“I love Nigeria because I have a father in Nigeria, Churchill Oliseh, who made me what I am today, but I have to do my best for Liberia in that game.
“Nigeria has a good team but Liberia will fight in this match. The better side should win the match,” he commented.
The Super Eagles have lost only once to Liberia, when they fell 2-1 during a 2002 World Cup qualifier in Monrovia.
Both countries have met 12 times with Nigeria having upper hand with 8 victories and 3 draws. The first meeting was in 1963 in Monrovia which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Sekou also revealed that it took him three years to decide whether to play for Nigeria or Liberia.
“The decision to play for Liberia was not easy because I had to choose between Nigeria and Liberia,” he revealed in the interview.
“I would have played for Nigeria when I was called to the Under-17 national team in 2007, but I was called for trials in Denmark which I had to go, so from that time till 2009,I was pondering on either I should choose Nigeria or Liberia, and it was only later that I decided on Liberia,” stressed the CSKA Moscow player.
However, Oliseh’s Nigeria club mate, Ahmed Musa, on his own part, has said his close friendship with the Liberia star will be set aside when both countries when both countries go to war over the AFCON 2013 ticket.
Musa insisted that there was nothing like friendship on the pitch and that he was ready to see off his best friend and his national team in the South Africa 2013 race.
“It is going to be great facing Sekou, he is a great player, but I will contribute to the downfall of his team,” declared Musa, who shared a house with the Liberia star when he first arrived Russia.
“We won’t be friends during the games because I am looking forward to sending Liberia out and even score goals in the process.”