LIBERIA head coach Peter Butler has backed the the Super Eagles to make it through to the African playoffs for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The Lone Star lost 2-0 at ‘home’ in Tangier, Morocco to the Super Eagles on Saturday, a result which kept the Nigerian side on top of African qualifying Group C.
Victor Osimhen and Ahmed Musa converted two penalties in both halves to take the Super Eagles to 12 points in the group, two ahead of Cape Verde whom they face in Lagos on Tuesday in the final group game.
The group winners will progress to the playoffs, which is the final round of qualifiers.
Although the Nigerians laboured through the match and looked short of ideas, Butler admitted they were worthy of the win, giving accolades to Gernor Rohr and the coaching crew.“First of all I would like to congratulate Nigeria, they deserve to go through to the next phase because they have good players, well drilled, well coached,” Butler said at his post-match interview, while also praising his players.
“Over 90 minutes I thought we gave a good account of ourselves, we played some good football. We are in a rebuilding process and this team will improve in time.
“We don’t have the finance of teams like Nigeria, Senegal etc and also we don’t have the players to compete with them.
“I’m proud of the effort of my players, what I ask for they gave me, couple of mistakes but it is what it is, I’m not going to make excuses”.
Liberia will be playing for pride on Tuesday when they face Central African Republic, as both sides are unable to advance to the playoffs.
The Lone Star have just four points from five group matches, while Central African Republic have three.
