Clubs Prepare For Task
Ahead
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.

Ahead of their
maiden participation in African club competitions, Mighty Blue Angels,
Mark Professionals and LISCR FC are expected to move to camp over the
weekend.
Mighty Blue Angels, the minnows from Harbel, Margibi County who
conquered the giants last season during the knockout stage, have been
paired with the mighty Asante Kotoko of Ghana in the Cup Winners Cup
amidst fresh memories of the way the Porcupine Warriors lost in a
dramatic two leg final to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco. The first leg
comes alive on April 13 in Kumasi, Ghana and in two weeks’ time, the
return leg will take place in Monrovia.
After putting big brothers to shame last season in the knockout
tournament, Mighty Blues Angels claim that big names do not really
matter in football, instead, it is the final result. Takpoh Sonkaly,
who is being chased by the big guys, Mighty Barrolle and Invincible
Eleven (IE) is the main man Kotoko needs not ignore. He is a household
name when it comes to taking distant free kicks. Against Barrolle in
the Referee Association tournament, he scored from more than thirty
yards at the ATS for IE. Thereafter, he was hired by Barrolle
president Lewis Browne for the match with IE in Buchanan, Grand Bassa.
While IE led 2-1, Takpoh struck from a freekick to send the Yellow
family in tears.
Meanwhile, with Barrolle seeming to be the player’s next destination,
there are doubts whether Takpoh will feature for his mother club. The
National League starts in March and if Barrolle snatches Takpoh, his
dream of playing for the Mighty Blue Angels in the Cup Winners Cup in
April remains questionable.
Mighty Blue Angels president Thomas Nyan disclosed during the week
that around US$25,000.00 is needed to make the trip to the ever famous
Kumasi Sports Stadium. But with good assurance from the team’s senior
sponsor, Hon. Jonathan Taylor who is also Minister of State and
Presidential Affairs, the team’s dream will likely become a reality.
Since their qualification, the team has been having series of
preparation matches, twice against the national team Lone Star,
obviously to raise funds among their numerous fans in Harbel and the
Firestone. No doubt, Margibi citizens are standing behind the Blue
Angels for the mere fact no club from the county has achieved such
feat.
Although LPRC Oilers, the league champions, remain suspended for
failing to participate in the 2000 CAF Champions League, runners-up
LISCR will represented Liberia in the CAF Cup when they meet Enugu
Rangers also in April. The team continues to argue it will meet the
deadline set by CAF to settle its obligation for the competition.
Mark Professionals who finished second to Mighty Blue Angels in the
knockout automatically qualified to participate in the West African
Football Union (WAFU) competition. There are reports that the team is
preparing to move to camp having begun training sessions at Airfield.