Liberia displays wonders

Young Isaac Tondo (#10) celebrates
Liberia’s second goal along with teammates.
 

By Bruce Wiah – Liberiansoccer.com
 

11-17-03

Liberia’s escape into the next round of the 2006 World Cup and ANC qualifiers confirms another inspiration into international football for a country that has been wasted away by wars.

A tricky team

African football guru Mark Gleeson of South Africa described the Lone Star as a two-faced football team on the continent.

Analyzing the their tactical styles blinds most opposing coaches, which sometimes accounts for why they produce wonders.

This must be pricking the Gambian coach, Sang Ndong, who thought little of the Lone Star after their 2-0 first leg win in Banjul.

Tondo’s magic

If there is nothing ever to surprise a football fan, then the Lone Star of Liberia is one team noted for such publicity stunt.

Isaac Tondo’s double strikes two years ago against Mauritius verified Liberia’s second appearance at the 2002 African Nations Cup.

Yet still a boy, the local hero repeated the same eagerness against the Gambians after Zizi Roberts had opened Liberia’s 3-0 win in Monrovia on Sunday.

In spite of the termination of a local league, the local players had so much to offer their caring fans.

Zizi’s re-entry

Zizi Roberts’ re-entry into the Lone Star since Mali 2002 gave a significant impact on the team success.

The solid utility player sliced Gambia’s 2-0 first leg lead leaving the rest of the damage for Isaac Tondo, a local terminator.

Our Man of the Match, Zizi Roberts,
outweighs two Gambian defenders to slam
 in the crucial opener (4:12pm), 12 minutes

 

Zizi blamed the Liberian FA for loosing his contract at Olympiakos Piraeus of Greece last year.

He sustained an injury against Algeria at Mail 2002 that caused him a first team shirt and his three-year contract.

The Colorado Rapids striker had in the past turned down several appeals to return to the Lone Star, which had a life-size consequence on Liberia’s miss-out to Tunisia 2004.

Former Lone Star technical director, George Weah, who was also returning to Liberia after two years was overwhelmed by the team’s accomplishment.

The 1995 World Best Footballer told the BBC that the victory was a way of reuniting a divided country and is hopeful of many more pleasing things for Liberia.