May 28, 2004-Monrovia
As the National Soccer Team the Lone Star intensifies its
preparation for its crucial international assignment in the
qualifying rounds of the African Cup of Nations against the
Eagle of Mali,
Liberia’s
most celebrated star James Salinsa Debbah seems to be deeply
troubled by the absence of some professional players on the
team.
He expressed concern about the fact that some of the
players who should have been here are not in Monrovia to
take on the Eagle of Mali on Sunday at the Samuel K. Doe
Sports Complex.
A source close to the Lone
Star has hinted The Analyst that Debah may not play the Mali
match if other professional players whom he expects to be on
the team are not here by then.
Debbah observed that the Eagle of Mali is
not a small side and as such it was needful that all
Liberia’s good players are on the ground to beef up the team
to pull a victory.
In his words the Eagle of Mali has
advanced in two nations’ cup semi final competitions, and
they were still intensifying their preparations by playing
series of international matches in Africa
and
Europe.
He also said it was discouraging that
professional players were yet to received invitations or
tickets from the local football house for the match with
only six more days for the pending game on Sunday at the
Samuel Kanyon Doe Sport Complex.
The Liberian celebrated soccer star noted
that if the FA fails to do everything to get the players for
the game, he might likely not play on Sunday.
The concern of Debah has also been echoed
by some sport analysts who described his observation as
“genuine” and have also urged that the local football house
should do all it can to bring down the players for
Mali
match.
Out of six professional players said to
have been invited, Coach Kadala Kromah told journalists that
only two in the person of Sunday Sieh and James Debah have
shown up.
Some of the professionals are said to be
showing less interest in coming for the Mali game, while
others are demanding for their tickets before they can
emplane for Liberia.
Defender-cum-striker Zizi Roberts who many
expect is said to have told football authorities in Monrovia
that unless the government sends his plane ticket, he will
not come.
This goes against the government procedures
that all professional players pay their plane fare and would
be reimbursed upon arrival in Monrovia.
So far, there is no word from George Gebro
and the other professional players.