LIBERIA CALL UP SWEDEN-BORN HELLBERG FOR QUALIFIERS

The 2022 World Cup is less than three years away and qualifiers for the tournament are expected to begin this year. The Confederations of African Football begins their qualifiers in September and teams have begun to announce their squads.

Liberia is one of them and the West African nation has called up 13 foreign based players for their opening match with Sierra Leone. Manager Peter Butler released a list with the high profile inclusion that of IK Brage midfielder Seth KantehHellberg.

The 24-year-old plays for Swedish second-tier Brage FC and qualifies to play for Liberia as he was born to a Liberian mother and Swedish father.

Hellberg had been monitored by the Liberian football association who convinced him to play for the national team. the midfielder joined Brage in the summer from Syrianska FC and will be the star attraction for the team.

Newcastle youngster Mohammed Sangare is another big name on the list after he made his debut away at DR Congo in March. The midfielder is one of the names on the list.

Star forward Anthony Laffor misses out due to injury. Laffor has not played for his South African club MamelodiSundowns since the CAF Champions League tie against Lobi Stars in March.

Liberian skipper William Jebor who recently made a move to the United Arab Emirates this summer makes the list alongside defender Eugene Swen.

Butler is also expected to name a locally based list that would complement the 13 players called from overseas.

It is understood that the delay in the list is due to Liberia’s LPRC Oilers and LISCR FC continental assignments this weekend. Butler will be hoping that the players on his list can help win the first round of qualifiers.

Liberia play Sierra Leone on 4 September with the return leg taking place in Freetown four days later.