AFCON Qualifiers: Liberia’s U20 Goalkeeper Handed Starting Position for Congo Clash

October 16, 2018, will be a memorable day for Liberia’s U20 national team goalkeeper Ashley Williams after being named in the Lone Star’s starting lineup for their return leg match against Congo.

According to a release on the Liberia Football Association’s Facebook page, the 18-year-old will stand between the goalposts, replacing Spanish-born Liberian goalkeeper Boison Wynney de Souza.

In a pre-match press conference today, head coach Thomas Kojo said he was going to make some changes in the team’s defense after a poor defensive work during the first leg in Brazzaville, a change that began in the goalposts.

Williams was placed on the bench for the first leg in Brazzaville where they suffered a 3-1 defeat.

The news came as a surprise to some Liberians, however, with some seeing it as the right decision made by Coach Kojo as the young shot-stopper has proven to be one of the best players for the goalkeeping role whenever he’s given the opportunity.

Williams, also a goalkeeper for first division champions LISCR FC, came to the spotlight during the West Africa Football Union (WAFU)/ Fox U20 tournament hosted in Liberia from April 24- May 6, 2018.

Although the Junior Lone Star finished as runners-up in the tournament after losing to The Gambia 2-1 in the final, the 18-year-old goalkeeping ability and ball control footwork did not go unnoticed as he later got a call to the senior national team.

He made his senior national team debut on September 11, after he was introduced in the second half when Liberia lost 2-1 against Nigeria in an international friendly at the SKD.

The Lone Star are yet to secure a win in Group G after collecting one point from three games.

Featured Image: Anthony Kokoi