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KELVIN FINALLY
BIDS FAREWELL
The honoree, Kelvin meets the press after the match
(Photos by Senior reporter Roland M. Mulbah)
Wleh Bedell (Sports Consultant)
After 21 fabulous years on the park, curl legged midfielder Kelvin
Sebwe had his testimonial as he bowed out of the most beautiful game,
football, in a rather emotional but befitting fashion. It was at the
Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium, the venue the player then 16 years
old made his international debut against a rampaging Eagles of Mali in
a Nations Cup qualifier which the visitors won by a solitary goal
margin.
The ceremony on Thursday, June 25, was quite a memorable one, and
though the organizers disappointed a chunk of football followers due
to what pundits describe as misleading information for the absence of
the heavyweights in contemporary African football, some of whom
include: Samuel Eto’o Fils, Didier Tebily Drogba Yves, Michael ‘Bison’
Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari, Habib Kolo Toure and brother Gnerei Yaya
Toure and a galaxy of other stars, the presence of the legendary
George Oppong Manneh Weah, James Salinsa Debbah, Joe ‘Armstrong’ Nagbe
and other formidable names, the event was inarguably one to remember.
King George Weah
(Photos by Senior reporter Roland M. Mulbah)
There were some other top guns available who made headways on the
continent before with the likes of Kwame Ayew, Junior brother of three
times African footballer of the year, Abedi Pele Ayew, ex-Ghanaian
international winger Yaw Preko who made in-roads at Bayern Munich,
Borussia Dortmund and Fanarbache, ex- Italian Serie A’ clubs Udinese
and Inter Milan bomber Mohamed Gargo as well as the once sublimely
gifted Guinean midfielder Abdul Salam Sow, the stars entertained the
crowd.
After 45 seconds, Kwame Ayew scored a bloomer as he caught a sleeping
Pewu Bestman unaware as the selected All-Stars broke the deadlock.
But, the former ‘miracle man’ James Salinsa Debbah, fresh from
Indonesia, rounded off ex-Hearts of Oak rear guard, Jimmy Jwah and
another opponent as he placed the ball beyond an onrushing Saylee Swen,
courtesy of a through ball from the FIFA 1995 world footballer of the
year George Weah.
Weah and co kept the crowd in frenzy as his mesmerizing skills and
superb ball artistry proved a handful to the opposition and lifted the
crowd. Kelvin sprayed the passes in the middle of the park, Oliver
Markor exploded in the engine room, Joe Nagbe was lithe in central
midfield, Prince Daye tried some old tricks, Thomas Kojo was lively
down the flanks, Varmah Kpoto an element, Musa Shannoh was mobile,
Frank Seator terrorized as the crowd was ecstatic due to the Old Lone
Star (dressed in dominant red) showing a virtuoso form.
Mohammed Gargo & Lone Star Captain, Murphy Nagbe
Dogo Wesseh, Murphy Nagbe, and the Ghanaians, Guineans mixture was as
well worth watching as the Selected All Stars (dressed in dominant
yellow showed cased their talents).
Indonesian based screen creator James Koko Lomell made way for the
diminutive Greek based passer George Boe as the first period ended
1-1.
Upon resumption, veteran referee Idrissa Kaba made way for his
counterpart Alex Nagbo. But, it was the selected International All
Stars that restored parity after the ex-Ghanaian hit-man Mohamed Gargo
unleashed his trademark ferocious drive that beat substitute goal
tender James Galley.
But, with the introduction of the pin-sized Solomon Grimes and the
cool but intelligent Ben Teekloh of Greek side Ethnikos and Romanian
outfit Farul Constanta respectively into the fray to provide balance
for the senior compatriots; the game was then characterized with much
verve as the veterans played with purpose.
Ghanaian retired star
Their efforts paid dividends as Weah scored via an individual
brilliance after been released by the honoree Kelvin Sebwe.
Weah showed composure as he tapped the ball in the path of the
towering Oilers gloves man Saylee Swen who parried the ball in the
range of the ex-Milan pathfinder whose sleek cum Midas touch landed at
the back of the net, as he lighted the crowd with the unique finish
and eye catching celebration which saw the honoree Kelvin, the burly
substitute Jonathan “Boye charles” Sogbie, James Debbah and the rest
of the crew mobbing him.
An overweight Massar Junior was introduced into the melee. Also,
Thomas Freeman and Jean Friday Roberts all played their part as the
game intensified at a virtually water logged park.
Fives minutes to bed, as far as the end of the tie was concerned,
Kelvin was substituted, and he jogged round the pitch, waving to say
good bye after a tumultuous season in France, Greece and the United
Arab Emirates.
After the contest, Kelvin told reporters, “It’s the 25th of June,
2009. I know it’s over”. He further intimated it was a sad and joyous
day in his life, and it was as well a delight for him to come back
home to play his final match, and to last play with his friends”.
He also said he was thankful to every Liberian for the support,
especially those who made his jamboree a success. The 73 caps 17 goals
ex-international cum prolific midfielder who shined brightly over the
years has now joined a host of African football legends who left the
game honorably. Some of these stars include the awesome George weah,
Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Abedi Pele Ayew, Tony Jaw Yeboah, Lucas Veliriu
Radebe and many others.
Guinean retired super star
Now that the maestro has hanged his technically gifted boots, the
major question now is which way is there for the former marauding
runner? Will he follow the likes of ex-internationals Stephen Keshi,
Daniel Owofen Amokashie, Mamoud Al-Gohary, Jomo Sono, Carlos Caetano
Bledorn Vieri Dunga, Roberto Donadoni, Aboubaccar Titi Camara and
others who have or are currently coaching various national teams? Or
will he follow other ex-internationals like Victor Nosa kpeba, Al
Demond, Patrick Mboma, Enzo Francisoli, Mohamed Kanu and others who
are now credible agents busy engaged in the business of promoting
young and hungry players from their country and other parts of the
world?
Or will he follow the examples of ex-stars like Kalusha Bwalya, Joel
Teihi, Irvin Khoza, Lilain Thuram and others who are one way or the
other either at the helm of their country’s Football Associations or
other key football roles in various football organizations?
Finally, why if he follows the footstep of the man who was arguably
responsible for his success as a footballer, the legendary George Weah
who after hanging his magical boots went into politics and contested
the 2005 presidential elections as standard bearer of the Congress for
Democratic Change (CDC) where he ended as runners-up to president
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Unity Party (UP)?
There are certainly interesting days in the offing as far as the
activities of Kelvin Sebwe are concerned with connoisseurs eagerly
watching.
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