Liberiansoccer.com Exclusive Interview
Goalie Anthony Tokpa Hits Back:
"Take Personal Interests out of Lone Star"
By Omari Jackson

He was expelled from the national soccer team in a decision that he considered was unjustified, and was made by ex-technical director, George Weah, for what he described as, "selfish reasons" but ex-international goalkeeper, Anthony Gata Tokpa, says he is ready to fight back and set the records straight. In a telephone interview at his residence in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on Sunday Dec. 15, Tokpa said sacrifices by players should not be repaid by selfish decisions, because no Liberian is more Liberian than another. Excerpts.






Question: Reports said that you were expelled from the national soccer team. What really happened?

Tokpa: I was in Liberia at the time when I heard a news report that I had been expelled from the national team, and later read the report in newspapers. I was not officially informed about the reasons for the action against me. I contacted the LFA and spoke with President Snowe, acting President Cllr. Wesley and Secretary Borsay. All of them could not explain to me about the reasons for the action.

Question: What, in your opinion, might have been responsible for the reported expulsion against you?

Tokpa: It might have been Lone Star's visit to the United States in friendly matches here. As you know, we've just lost the crucial match against Ghana and all of us were downhearted. All of us were disappointed and we all accepted responsibility for the loss. I traveled to the United States where I met with many of the players. Please note that we were just informed about the friendly matches in the US and you will agree with me that the scheduled matches in the US were not intended to prepare us for any future encounter at the time and so coupled with the loss against Ghana, there was no spirit for the friendly games.

Question: I must admit that the loss to Ghana destroyed our chances for the World Cup. Are you saying that because there was nothing immediately at stake for the national team, you did not think it was worthwhile to play?

Tokpa: I'm afraid that's not what I mean. The point is we had lost a major game, due to our own complacency. The loss was so overwhelming that playing friendly matches in the US was, in my opinion, not a necessity. Whoever organized them had a poor timing. Many of us were down in spirit. And without a motivated spirit, the entire exercise was just for mere formality.

Question: But you agree that it might have been responsible for the decision to expel you from the national team?

Tokpa: I believe so. I've served the national team for the past ten years. It was due to my involvement with the national team that made me to lose my lucrative contract in Croatia. Hence if the technical team and the officials who took the decision against me had considered my years of sacrifice and losses, common sense would have suggested that it was purely unjustified to expel me from the national team. I've been faithful to the national team and I demonstrated personal loyalty to the team. My expulsion was unfair.

Question: I understand that before the crucial match against the Black Stars, a celebrated wedding took place. Will you say whatever happened at the wedding contributed to the painful loss?

Tokpa: The truth is, we were complacent. Since we had beaten Ghana 3-1 in Accra before an enthusiastic home crowd, we misjudged that the Ghanaians were going to send a second string side, since they knew that a win against us would still not improve on their chances for the World Cup. All of us forgot that the Black Stars had their reputation to protect. We lost our focus and we paid dearly for it. The entire playing body felt that it had let the Liberian people down. We had ourselves to blame. It was a lesson learnt the hard way.

Question: Would you say that your problems with the national team also had a basis from this loss?
Tokpa: Well, I can only say that poor preparation, loss of focus and other factors led to our severe loss. However, it will be unfair for anyone to blame an individual player for the fiasco. I entertain the notion that
whoever made the decision against me without any kind of investigation did a disservice to me, and the Liberian people. The young ones will look at the treatment and it may shape their commitment to the national team.

Question: You're aware that George Weah has resigned from the national team, along with a couple of others who felt that they would be unable to perform better so long as their mentor has left the team. What's your position now regarding the Lone Star?

Tokpa: I must say with all honesty that I love my country and like before, I'm ever willing to sacrifice for Liberia. However, the authorities in Monrovia must address the unfair treatment. George Weah and his friends' absence from the team should motivate those who never had the chance to serve their country now. The fact is, players go and players come. Players will always change, but the Lone Star is ever present. The legendary Pele of Brazil left the soccer scene many years ago, and truly there has not been a player like him, but Brazil is still the number one soccer nation in the world.

Question: One cannot imagine your personal struggle with Lone Star's loss and your experience after the "expulsion," does the future seem bright to you?

Tokpa: Yes, it is. I've presently completed a contract with DPNN FC of Brunei in the Middle East, where I received a signing bonus of USD20, 000.00 (Twenty thousand dollars). While in the USA, I played some matches for Charlotte Eagles whose authorities are prepared to offer me a lucrative contract for the forthcoming season. The Brunei offer is where I see some prospects but I'm weighing my options right now.

Question: Well, you might have heard about the dissolution of the national soccer team and the rebuilding process that is underway. Was it a good idea for the rebuilding of the team?

Tokpa: I've nothing against the formation of a new Lone Star. My position is that a junior team must be maintained where players can graduate to the national team. Also, it is important that the young team is built around the older players. That way there will always be players ready to wear the national colors, it will also help so that whenever any player decides to leave the team, there will be an immediate replacement. This is my suggestion.