KELVIN-THE GREAT

Kelvin Sebwe retires from football on Thursday, June 25, with a galaxy of ex- and current international stars worldwide expected to grace what should be a mirthful occasion at the Samuel kayon Doe Sports Complex. SPORTS CONSULTANT WLEH BEDELL sails through the career of a great footballer. 

The name Kelvin Sebwe has been on the lips of Liberian, African and World Football followers for so many years as he used his sublime skills, incisive passes, awesome precision, vital goal scoring instint, precision and intelligence on the park to woo, captivate and excite thousands if not millions of followers of the beautiful game round the world. 

From the sandy beaches at the Coconut Plantation in Monrovia, his native land Liberia, to Greece via stints in France, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates, Kelvin grew from sheer obscruity to a prodigious prominence via he world's most populous sports, football. His love for the game has always been admirable and he has since become a model for rising stars.   

The curl-legged midfielder is certainly a pellucid example of player's loyalty to club.

 With consistency and love for his club Monrovia Black Star (A very youthful outfit in the Liberian top flight that by then had a  playing style reminiscent of English Premiership side Arsenal), Kelvin failed to succumb to the dollars of the big spending clubs in the form of Invincible Eleven (IE), Mighty Barrolle and LPRC Oilers who were as well regular participants in continental competitions. 

Courtesy of his senior compatriot George Oppong Manneh Weah who would then become FIFA World Footballer of the year, Kelvin Sebwe left for Europe, specifically France, during the early days of the Liberian civil strife in 1990. 

In France, the descent ball passer impressed at ligue 2 side Toulouse and later ligue 1 outfit A. S. Monaco. He would later change his environment as he styled for R.F.C. Liegeois in the Belgian Jupiler League. At the "red and blue' side, the 187 cm tall player made in-roads as he made the then gritty Nigerian midfielder Sunday Oliseh an understudy.Playing with the likes of attackers Victor Nosa Ikpeba and Kinkombo Kingambo of Nigeria and DR Congo respectively, the April 4, 1972 born midfield gem was among the top four African players at the end of the season, as the then Club Brugge Nigerian hit-man Daniel Owofen Amokashi who was the man of the season from an African perspective described him as 'a truly wonderful player'. 

After some time, the diminutive playmaker made the Greek adventure, and would later serve as the pivot cum driving force for his countrymen to ply their trades there. The likes of 'miracle man' James Salinsa Debbah, Joe 'Armstrong' Nagbe, 'machine man' Oliver Markor, Zizi 'Tiehi Joel' Roberts, the workaholic George Gebro, Varmah Kpoto, the pin-sized Solomon Grimes and the mainstay performer George Boe, are just some of the stars Sebwe introduced to another brand of football in Greece. 

After some intriguing moments with the cadet teams of the Lone Star, the 'joy to watch Kelvin settled on the Senior National team the Lone Star in 1988. Since then, he has never looked back as he established himself on the world stage internationally. 

Greek clubs Skoda Xanthi, AEK Anthens, Iraklis Thessaloniki, A O Patraikos, Panachaika Patras, Dhafra, A O Kavala and Doxa Drama are clubs that will for ever remember the name Kelvin Sebwe for his conjuring ball skills. 

He also excited the crowd in the Oil rich United Arab Emirates where Al-Ahli and Al-Jazira benefited from his great vision that illuminated his sides attacking forays. 

A committed member of the Lone Star, the ever reliable player in the middle of the park for the 'red, white and blue' outfit,is no doubt one of the greatest players who had ever worn the jersey of the senior national team, the Lone Star. 

Not the obstinate of players though, as Kelvin was always on hand to show love for country in honoring the call of the sporting authorities by playing his country's games no matter which part of the continent or the world. With two African Nations Cup appearance (South Africa '96 and Mali 2002) under his belt, the mega star has had an illustrious career. opening the Lone Star account In Nations Cup history when he scored from the spot against Jonas Oganda led Gabon after then FIFA world footballer of the year George weah was upended as well as his mercurial finish against the Desert Foxes of Algeria via a release from Prince Daye KELVIN-THE GREAT was behemoth performer of the Lone Star. 

Certainly, the player who won 65 caps had so many great matches for the Lone Star, and was an integral member. His mastercard performance against the Scorpions of Gambia in the Lone Star 4-0 victory on June 23, 1996 at the Accra Sports Stadium now Ohene Djan in the second leg preliminaries of the 1996 African Nations Cup was one match the 'Lone Star Great' will remember. 

Also, the July 9, 2000, 2-1 win for the Lone against a star studded Super Eagles of Nigeria where Kelvin renewed the rivalry with ex-clubmate Sunday Oliseh would certainly be another one of the player's top rated matches played. 

Another memorable and will always love to be remembered melee was the historic 3-1 ousting of Ghana Black Star in Accra on January 28, 2001. 

The 1-0 win against Sierra Leone's Leone Star on February 25, 2001 at the SKD where he made a tactical observation at half time noting that the Lone Star had too much attackers on the park was another cracker. 

His well drilled goal against the Hawks of Sudan on April 22, 2001 at the SKD in Liberia's 2-0 drubbing of the visitors was a memorable one in  terms of a classic goal scored.

But, while the Kelvin might have so many great games to remember in terms of the positive results and virtuoso performances,  the Lone Star 2-1 loss at home to a fringe Ghana Black Star on July 7, 2001 will be remembered with mixed feelings. 

It was arguably the darkest day in the country's football history as the country was just 180 minutes to their first ever World Cup. With Kelvin finding the leveller after the Black Stars had taken the lead, the Lone Star conceded another goal to a virtually nothing to fight for, but pride, visiting Ghanaian side. 

From all indication, that was a match that would have changed the fortune of the country's football, as cruising to the World biggest football event would have made the players earn bigger contracts, changed the social model of the country's game and as well bring new tidings as far as the development of the game is concerned. 

His last match for the team he shared tears, sweat and blood for 21 years was the 3-0 loss to Algeria in Blida on June 6, 2008. Though his departure from the team was a somewhat acrimonious and melancholic one after he fell out with the lethargic German Coach Antoine Hey, Kelvin indeed had a prodigious career, and is no doubt Kelvin-The Great. 

His decision to come home to stage his testimonial or retirement match is worth commending and he is indeed one the younger generation should emulate. After 21 years of solid whole hearted and solid performance, it would be a miscarriage were Kelvin not to be idolized as KELVIN-THE GREAT. 

As he says good bye to the game in an honorable fashion, it is appropriate to say good bye and have a very good time after football, and it is the hope of many that he will stay be involved with the game by some means.

KELVIN-THE GREAT-CONGRATULATIONS!