Landi Appeals to Journalists for Cordial Working Relationship Ahead of Brazil 2014


Liberia head coach Roberto Landi has asked sports journalists to cooperate with him as the team embarks on the campaign to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Liberia got a bye into Group J to meet Senegal, Angola and Uganda following the withdrawal of cash-stripped Mauritius on October 31 from a two-leg preliminary.

Landi, who on Tuesday addressed his second press conference outside of a football match at the Liberia Football Association (LFA), admitted the press has its own pressure, which can be consumed by the public.

His first briefing was held in March at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium when he was unveiled as caretaker coach to temporarily replaced deceased Hungarian coach Bertalan Bicskei, who was then attending to poor health in Budapest.

“I ask each and all of you for your cooperation as we go through the next qualifiers. It will be tough because we know all our opponents but please let’s work together for the good of the country,” Landi stated.

The Italian tactician addressed a wide range of issues including the team’s horrible 0-3 defeat to Zimbabwe in Harare on September 4 and its consequences.

National team trainer Janjay Jacobs, administrative manager Sebastian Collins and striker Dioh Williams were handed a six-month suspension on November 9 based on a recommendation from a special committee set-up by the executive committee, which also expelled Rochell Woodson, one of its own.

“I accept the defeat and take responsibility for that. Mentally, the players weren’t prepared and we only began to play real football after we were 2-0 down.

“Psychologically if [Anthony] Laffor had scored that goal to make the score 1-1 before we went for halftime, the Zimbabweans who have been disturbed.

“But he chose to lob the ball over [goalkeeper Tapuwa] Karpini instead of a placement because he wasn’t fully fit. And afterwards, there was a misunderstanding among my players in the dressing rooms about the missed goal,” he disclosed.

Landi also revealed that he secured two contracts with two companies to supply materials and medicines to the team. He then distributed a list of foreign and local players he hopes to use when the qualifiers resume in June 2012.

Landi’s monthly salary and frequent travels were also part of the briefing, which discussed any and everything. He said he’s paid a monthly salary of US$10,000 (ten-thousand United States dollars) by the LFA and is entitled to one trip per quarter (three months).

“So If I make more than two trips in three months whether to Italy, France or Ivory Coast, I paid on my own. But listen, one time there was no gas for my assigned vehicle and I gave the driver US$100 (one-hundred United States dollars) to buy petrol. I didn’t ask for refund,” he explained.