James Debbah Opens Up

The Lone Star has been experiencing some troubling situation nowadays. Most of the players that made name for the national pride – the likes of George Oppong Weah, James Salinsa Debbah, Joe Armstrong Nagbe, Jonathan Sogbie, Kelvin Segbwe, and others seem to be less interested in the team that made them.

While some have lost steam, others resigned for what they called the “ingratitude of the Liberian people.”

 One of those who is distancing himself from the Lone Star is the nation’s celebrated star, James Debbah.

He spoke on a variety of issues, including his contract and the Lone Star in an interview with journalist Sam Drue.

Question: The most celebrated star, James Salinsa Debbah, was a household name in Liberian soccer, but many Liberians are wondering whether you have truly retired from playing active football.

Debbah: I am still playing, but the problem is that I missed out on two contracts that I had due to my long stay in the United States. I have been slack for a while now but the season is almost at the end, so I would be able by the end of the season.

But you did mention the national team, the Lone Star. Yes, you see the problem is that I've been a little bit nonchalant.

The fact is that all my efforts on the national team was scorned by some individuals who thought I was a complete menace to the program that they had.

If you look at James Salinsa Debbah’s record on the national team, I am one of the best players and highest goal scorer ever on the national team. No one can discredit that there is nobody on this national team that can beat my achievements.

Question: Debbah, Lone Star is going down the drain. Thinking about your contribution those days you carried Lone Star higher up. I can remember what you did for Liberia on many occasions. Are you thinking of coming back on the team along with other stars to make sure that Lone Star qualifies from her zone?

Answer: yes you see the problem here is not coming back on the team. The problem is looking at your efforts - all the efforts I have made are in vain.

You know what I mean. I said previously that all my effort was scorned. You see the Liberian people seem not be recognizing certain individuals who have made some immense contributions.

Take for example the game against Togo: We were unfortunate. We did not win the game and the coach at the time, Kadallah Kromah, had nothing to say but he went on the air and tried to make me look bad.

But it’s ok. I accepted it. In soccer you have to have critics. But what he did not realize was that James Salinsa Debbah has played on this national team for 12-15 years. And you know what it means to played 15 years of consistency? If Kadallah Kromah had even played 5 years of consistency on the national team, then I could consider him my peer.

But against somebody who has established himself, he came on the air and tried to discredit my ability. I would not support that, and I think they owe me a lot of apology.

Even if I want to return to the team, they owe me a lot of apology and that is I will have to play with people I’ve been playing with in the past.

Question: Debbah, some people are saying that you are not fit to play on the Lone Star now. Is it true that you are not fit?

Answer: This is a complete mockery I would say. James Salinsa Debbah can still do what he did six to seven years ago. I can run from here to Baptist Seminary, to and fro. I can still run a 100-meters at 10.25.

I proved it. I think last month they had a tournament and everybody doubted James Salinsa Debbah’s ability. When I came, my first game I played in Buchanan, I played against Bassa Defenders and I scored a hat-trick. They got dumb-founded. I played the second game – when we the ex-Lone Star players played against I.E,  and I scored the only goal.

With all that is it possible? With all these things they are saying - how could you even question James Salinsa Debbah’s ability? You know I am impeccable, one of the best players the national team ever produced and that is a blessing to the Lone Star, but they did not realize that.

You have somebody on the team who is almost legendary, you know a prodigy, but yet still they didn't realize my ability.

Question: Let’s come back to your contract. Where do you have your new contract, which European country are you going to?

Answer: Oh I can’t tell you now. You know the season is still on so I have a couple of months - three months left, then I will see what I can do. You know I still have few more good years left and I try to make the best of it.

You know, I am only in Liberia; I came back to Liberia because this place is like a sanctuary for me. I come here once a while, so I am enjoying myself. I am having a nice time, I get my family around, it’s Ok. I am alright.

Question: Do you train constantly?

Answer: Oh yes! I train on a regular basis. There is nobody, no one who trains more than me, everyone knows that.

Question: When I talk about training, I am referring to practicing with the team – Lone Star.

Question: Do you?

Answer: I practice on my own, I always practice on my own.

Question: What are your last words, Debbah.

Answer: Yes, for Liberian soccer, I do not have much to say. We are vast years behind. You know we have more to go. Number one, you can not play soccer without programming. We have no program for instance, look at the national league.

I came here last year, the highest goal scorer in the national league was a midfield player, Patee Rozai and how many goals did he score – six goals.

Where are the attackers...? Liberian football is not improving; we are on the decline if you look at somebody who is considered the most valuable player and highest goal soccer in the national league.

Because, I can remember in the 1980's when I became highest goal scorer and most valuable player, I scored 23 goals in the league more than other competitors.