Francis Doe Joins Malaysian Club in a Reported ‘Lucrative Contract



Written by Danesius Marteh
danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com


Doe struck twice to end T-Team's unbeaten start in the Super League as derby rivals Terengganu claimed a 2-1 win in Kuala Terengganu on January 21 to close within a point of leaders Kelantan.

T-Team, who had not conceded a goal before the game, took the lead through a Zairo Anuar Zailani penalty in the 12th minute after goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee Ramli brought down Zachariah Simukonda only to concede a penalty within five minutes and have Shahril Faizal Sharifuddin sent off for hauling back Ashaari Samsuddin in the box.

Doe evened the score from the spot before lashing home the winner in the 56th minute to take his personal tally to three goals in two games. Elsewhere, Armed Forces blew a chance to move back to the top of the premier league when Sime Darby upset B. Sathianathan's star-studded side 2-1 in a replayed match at the Selayang Stadium.

Forces, who had a 2-0 lead wiped out in the abandoned fixture on January 20 due to heavy rain, took the lead in the ninth minute through Hairuddin Omar before Sime Darby stunned Forces with the equalizer in the 24th minute through Liberian midfielder Sengbeh Kennedy, whose compatriot Patrick Wleh then scored the winner in the 40th minute.

Doe has been without a club since Al-Ahly terminated his services late last year although local media reports say he joined a second division team in Egypt. According to New Straits Times, Doe registration was put on ice until a December 23 circular from the Malaysia FA gave Terengganu the green light to start their new season with foreign players.

The Liberian international striker was signed along with Brazilian midfielder Erison Da Silva Santos in December. Terengganu FA president Datuk Che Mat Jusoh said Kelantan, was delighted that the deal has been finally completed.

"We caught a break there and our problems regarding foreign players are now solved," said Che Mat at the contract signing ceremony.

Terengganu had originally picked Brazilian midfielder Tercio Nunes Machado and Gambian striker Mohamadou Suamareh just hours before the earlier deadline on December 8 but had to let them go soon after that.

"Machado's application to play in the Malaysian League was rejected by the FAM vetting committee while Suamareh failed to fit into the team," said Che Mat.

Che Mat, who is also team manager, said Doe came highly recommended and Terengganu are lucky to have the services of the former D.C. United and Al Ahly striker.

"We knew he was our man after he went straight into the friendly match against Perlis barely hours of touching down in Kuala Terengganu, and he scored a hat-trick.

"We hope to win one or two trophies this season and we are glad that Forkey and Da Silva, who is better known as 'Biano', will help us in our quest," Che said

About Doe

Doe was born on December 25, 1985 in Monrovia is among few Liberian footballers to have played in Cameroon, Greece and the United States of America. Doe began his career in the Cameroon first division in 2002, playing for Tonnerre Yaoundé.

He was voted the best foreign player and third best overall player (as voted on by the Cameroon Football Federation and the Cameroon Sports Writers Association) and became the second Liberian player to win the award.

The first being former world footballer of the year George Weah who received the award more than a decade ago. That same year Doe led the club to the CAF Cup final, netting six goals in eight CAF Cup matches.

In summer 2003, Doe moved back to Ghanaian side Buduburam FC. He then moved again in 2004 and signed a contract with USL First Division side Minnesota Thunder. His contract with Minnesota included an opt out clause which Doe utilized when he started receiving interest from European clubs.

Having drawn interest from many clubs including Walsall FC in England, as well as Boca Juniors in Argentina, Doe agreed to a two-year deal with Greek club Atromitos and was regularly transferred from Buduburam FC, with whom he tallied six goals in 20 league matches in his first season at the club.

In March 2007, Doe and Atromitos mutually agreed to end the contract between them. Doe later had a brief spell in the Major League Soccer on trial with FC Dallas, who were unable to secure his services due to league restrictions on the number of foreign players in one club.

He then went on another trial with New York Red Bulls, eventually securing a contract with the club. On September 22, 2007, in his second start for the Red Bulls, Doe scored his first MLS goal and made an assist in a 2–2 draw versus the New England Revolution.

Doe was a key contributor for the club after his late season acquisition. In eight league matches, 4 of them coming from the bench, Doe managed to record two goals and one assist, and helped the club qualify for the MLS playoffs.

Doe started the clubs first playoff game against the New England Revolution, logging 68 minutes in a scoreless affair. He was unable to participate in the second leg due to injury. He was waived by the team on February 21, 2008. Doe signed with D.C. United after a short trial in April, 2008.

Since his arrival, Doe has scored in every competition for United, including both goals in the club's 2–1 league win over the New England Revolution on October 16, 2008. Doe was waived by D.C. United on April 24, 2009, to make room on the roster for new signing Avery John.

In summer 2009, Doe was approached by African club of the century Al-Ahly, who thought of him as an ideal replacement for their departed top goalscorer Flavio Amado.

After only one week of negotiations, Doe decided to try his luck in a second spell in Africa and signed to the Egyptian premier league on July 14, 2009, on a free transfer.

He featured for Al-Ahly in a Wembley Cup friendly tournament, playing against Celtic FC and Barcelona FC. Doe scored his first goal with Al-Ahly on his debut against Ghazl El-Mehalla on August 6, 2009 to secure Al Ahly's 2–0 win in the opening match of the season.

International

Doe played in the 2006 Fifa World Cup qualification matches, as well as the qualifying competition for the 2008 and 2012 African Cups of Nations.

Doe opened the scoring in a 3–2 victory over Rwanda on October 8, 2006 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium and scored the lone goal in a 3–1 loss to Cameroon on March 28, 2007 in Yaounde.

He also scored the only goal during a 1-0 win over Cape Verde on June 5, 2011 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.