Liberia
In Zambia For "Battle of Lusaka"
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
The much-awaited "Battle of Lusaka" is now inevitable as the national
team of Liberia touched down in the Zambian capital on Wednesday.
The Lone Star left the Liberian capital during the early morning hours
via the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Harbel, Margibi County
and by 20:30 Zambian time, the team had reached their destination.
The Lone Star will play the Chipolopolo on Saturday, September 4, 2004
at the Independence Stadium in Lusaka. The match is part of the many
round four matches taking place around Africa.
Lone Star Coach Kadallah Kromah is happy that most of the
foreign-based players he named for the match were seen upon arrival.
The noticeable absentees, however, were Greek-based defender George
Gebro, one of the team's most regular players, and new boy McColm
Cephas. No real reasons were given for their failure to be in Zambia
by now, but there still seems a possibility that the duo will make a
final arrival.
The Lone Star delegation that left Monrovia carried along five players
from the local league due to the confidence that all of the
professional players would make themselves available.
Three players from premiership leader Mighty Barrollee, Varmah Kpoto,
Solomon Grimes, both defenders, and goalkeeper Pascal Karblee as well
as the LPRC Oilers duo of defender Shelton Barlee and hitman Isaac
Tondo made the journey.
The five locals will be blended with a number of foreign based players
called from the leagues of Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States.
The two players called from Asia, Indonesia-based Fallah Johnson and
Anthony Ballah, were the first to reach the Zambian capital. Ben
Teekloh is there from Ghana.
The European-based Louis Crayton (Switzerland), Jimmy Dixon, Dulee
Johnson and Dioh Williams (all of Sweden) are already said to be in
Lusaka.
The players selected from the United States leagues are John Menyongar,
Melvin Tarley, Francis Grand Pa Doe (all of Minnesota Thunders) and
Geoffrey Miller are there except for McColm Cephas of Richmond
Kickers.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Wheatonia Dixon-Barnes, is heading
the delegation to Zambia.
Other members of the delegation are the head coach Kadallah Kromah,
deputy coach Joseph Sion alias Kofi Bruce and Assistant Sports
Minister Elizabeth Omoko.
The rest are Lone Star Administrative Manager Jacques Wortoh Anderson,
team doctor Philderald Pratt, Masseur Abraham Kaba as well as
journalists Horatio Bobby Willie and Hilary Justine Colnoe.
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