| Karn Believes In
Lone Star
Local Player Isaac Tondo(#10) scored 2 goals
against Gambia
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
12-08-2003 (Monrovia) - Although to qualify for both the 2006
World Cup and the African Cup of Nations means the Lone Star of
Liberia must outclass Senegal, Mali, Togo, Zambia and Congo
Brazzaville, Samuel Karn believes the national team is capable of
rubbing shoulders with some of the best sides in African football.
Speaking after the draw was held by FIFA on Friday in
Frankfurt, Germany, the Karn United patron said, considering the
2002 World Cup qualifiers, Liberia should not be underrated. He
stated that the Lone Star has an equal advantage like the rest to
qualify for Germany and Egypt in 2006.
Notwithstanding, Karn suggests that the Lone Star engages in
friendly internationals and as well invites the country's players in
foreign lands, with specific reference to those that are involved in
active soccer.
The club owner also proposed that national coach Kadalah
Kromah be sent abroad to assess Liberian players plying their trade
in foreign leagues.
Another means by which Mr. Karn thinks the Lone Star would
reach Germany and Egypt is by having an active league. He said it is
from the league that potential talents are selected for the Lone
Star.
"In the absence of league, it leaves one to wonder whom we
will rely on during the qualifiers."
He added, "it is necessary to start the league by
January because we can't depend on the offseason leagues."
Many Liberians may doubt the LOne Star's ability to surving
Group A on grounds that, unlike the other teams such as the mighty
Senegal, the Liberian side is handled by a local man in Kadalah
Kromah, but Karn is optimistic that coach Kromah and his colleagues
are capable of carrying the heavy load in the presence of the needed
facilities.
Making reference to Nigeria which has local manager Christian
Chukwu, Karn noted that the ability of the Lone Star to pull
qualification should not boil to a foreign coach, instead, he called
for the current technical staff to be empowered.
"Only give the local man the facilities and he will perform. Give
him the same thing you gave the white man."
Karn said, "we should not discriminate between
technical people because they all took the same training."
Karn, meanwhile, cautioned the technical staff against
allowing foreign based players to become exception to the rule. "Our
coaches should not allow foreign based players to dictate to them."
Karn told the coaches to exercise full authority over the foreign
based players rather than allowing them to appear late for camp and
training.
"These are what led to our failure to qualify for the 2002 World
Cup." Hence, Karn says if Liberia must qualify, the technical staff
should prevent similar mistakes from being repeated.
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