Former Player Decries Lone Star's Treatment 


Head coach Kadallah Kromah pacing the sideline at ATS in the 3-0 win over Gambia

By Julu M. Johnson, Jr. 
 
A former player of Black Star is frustrated over the treatment of the national soccer team Lone Star.

  According to Mr. Kafay Nyema, a former goalkeeper, the per diems for players is insufficient, while the hotel for camping is in a deplorable state.

  He said the Lone Star was placed in Hotel Newahun where was always absence of   electricity as compared to the luxurious Urban Hotel, which hosted the national team of Togo.

  Nyema also frowned on the fact that players of the Lone Star would result to taking buckets to fetch water out the hotel.   "They should not treat guest teams more than our national team because the Lone Star is not treated well abroad," he cried.

  Adding, Nyema believes the per diems for players especially for those from overseas, have not been encouraging.   He suggested that apart from refunding money for air tickets, at least US$1,000.00 be made available to each player of the Lone Star.

  But, according to him, if the usual trend of underpaying players persists, most of the country's foreign-based would not come for future games. "Alvin Kie and Sunday Seah told me that they may not come because the per diem is too small," Nyema disclosed.

  He, meanwhile, cited the need for head coach Kadallah Kromah to engage authorities of the team about the treatment of the Lone Star.   He also said as a result of poor management on the part of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) and the Youth and Sports Ministry, there isn't a "set team" for the Lone Star. 

  "The FA and Sports Ministry should give all support to the coach and his staff," he noted.

  Nyema mentioned, "if you cannot afford a foreign coach, pay the local guys well."

  He then called on the two bodies to desist from interfering in the technical affairs of the team so as to allow the coach operates freely.

  "If the FA and the Sports Ministry leave the coach alone and allow him to operate, he can do better."