Four Foreign-Based Players Abandoned Camp


Indonesian based defender Murphy Nagbe( Orange) Leading the Revolt

by Horatio Bobby Willie
Thursday, 31 August 2006

Four foreign-based players have abandoned the camp of the national team the Lone Star.

The players abandoned the camp after demands for tickets refund were turned down by sporting authorities. The four Indonesian based players claimed football officials were over looking them.

The players led by Defender Murphy Nagbe said they would not return to camp until government could negotiate with them. The players said they are planning to discuss their plight with professional player Kelvin Sebwe

But the Director Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports said the players demand were unrealistic. Mr. Navarro Sackie said the players were on vacation before they were invited to the team.

He said the ministry wanted to give them perdiems just as their colleagues from Europe. Mr.Sackie however said negotiation with the players would continue.

He said the Ministry would not insist that the players remain on camp since they would not be able to meet their demands.

Reports reaching Star Radio say the technical staff of the national team has dropped  the four foreign-based players.

The report said the Lone Star coaches took the decision due to the failure of the players to show up for two practice sessions.

Players dropped are Indonesian based defender Murphy Nagbe, Esiah Benson, midfielder Steve Mennoh and striker Perry Kollie.

The four players have been demanding tickets refund and walked out of the Lone Star camp on Wednesday morning. The technical staff has already replaced the four with local players.


In a related development, international midfielder Kelvin Sebwe will not be available for the weekend qualifier against Equatorial Guinea. The player told Star Radio that he could not arrange a flight for Africa.

Kelvin promised to be in Liberia for the home game against Rwanda. He regretted that he would not be in Equatorial Guinea for the match and wished the Lone Star success.

Another Greece based player Francis Grandpa Doe may also miss the game. The player has been unable to inform football officials on when he would arrive in Monrovia for the trip to Malibu. The Lone Star departs the country on Friday.