Liberia & Angola Settle Blank


By Wleh Bedell


1996 African Nations Cup debutants Liberia’s Lone Star and Angola’s Palancas Negras ended their FIFA sanctioned international friendly at the SKD sports Stadium in a stalemate as the match generally brought to the fore few half scoring chances, with the visitors looking the more organized and tactically discipline side and the hosts looking ordinary for most part of the contest, but ended strongly which gives some room for hope and plenty to be done for future matches.

With President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf part of the under 20,000 at the 35,000 capacity stadium where she honored the legendary Josiah Nagbe Johnson with the African Redemption Award, the Lone Star looked unsettled from the proceedings as the 2006 World Cup debutants looked the better of the two sides due to their aggression, crisp and swift passing game and purposeful style.

Under the leadership of stand-in Captain cum holding midfielder Ben Teekloh of Romanian club Astra Poleista, the Lone Star imploring their 4-4-2 formation which at times looked like 4-2-4 due to the preponderance of strikers, got on the back foot in the early ambers as a more hardworking Angolan side made in-roads. With the towering Spanish club Real Valladolid forward leading the trident strike force in Coach Lito Vidigal’s 4-3-3 formation, the Angolans went on the front foot upon the blast of home referee Jerry Yekeh’s whistle. But, their undoing was the inability to create clear cut scoring chances as the home outfit goaltender that though was busier than his opposite number would have had some major work to do.

From aerial balls, former Manchester United man Manucho was an element as he gave flicks, made splashing and booming headers, but, on the bumpy turf, the Angolan front man was caged by rising defender Teah Dennis, Jr. and co. George Gebro would however be stretched off and never to return as he was replaced by Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) stopper Myers Galo who went in central defense and LPRC Oilers stopper Solomon Wesseh went to the left side of defense previously occupied by the rugged Gebro. An over enthusiastic Trokon Zeon of Invincible Eleven (IE) operated at right back where he had a poor first half and a fairly good second half

Before Manucho could be substituted, he latched onto a cleverly measured cross, but timely defending from Teah Dennis and Nathaniel Sherman saved the Lone Star from what would have being a serious embarrassment.

Teekloh would also be stretched off due to injury and was replaced by the youngster Martin Kendo who recently returned from Sweden where he reportedly had an unsuccessful trial. Teekloh’s absence caused some problems with Isaac Pupo who relatively had a poor game failing to provide service for the seemingly impressive Francis Doe who nearly got a goal before the end, and the skillful but less progressive-attack wise, Dioh Williams. Pupo who tried to ignite the game via his orchestration of set pieces, one of which troubled the goalkeeper which he parried for corner was substituted for the lanky unsuccessful South African-trial returnee Patrick Wleh who offered virtually nothing and was also substituted in the dying minute by the pin-sized Watanga FC asset Leone Power due to injury.

Sekou Jabateh who mainly occupied the right channel had a poor game as well by his standards and even missed a glorious opportunity in the dying ambers before being substituted by LPRC Oilers colored-hair wide man James Soto Roberts where he received a standing ovation from the always vociferous crowd.

As for the Swiss based debutant Ansu Toure who much was heard of prior to the melee, offered something scanty as he failed to provide width. The Locarno player proved he is endowed with a gifted left foot and vast speed, but failed to provide telling or early crosses for teammates in the box as he was keen on getting past his marker which was to no avail on a regular basis. He seemed disinterested in giving deliveries for his playmates lurking in the final third. His substitution for the diminutive Dutch based Dulee Johnson restored parity in the middle of the park in terms of cohesion as the former AIK Solna playmaker provided his usual short crisp passes to much effect.

In the end, the Lone Star and their opponents ended blank, but there are quite a lot for Roberto Lando and crew of mainly ex-internationals to do before the epic clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe early September from a Lone Star perspective.

The team neglected the beautiful and eye-pleasing possession game as they rarely put together five passes in succession. Also, the defense looked a bit disjointed and the midfield was for most part uncoordinated as there was literally not glaring defense splitting passes in the match to tee up the front runners for the ultimate. The team really needs a sitting striker whose focus is on the target or goal which would make the team-minded Francis Doe play off or slightly deep off him where his skills, power precision, nice one touch style, jinks and subtle moves will be a handful to the opposition. There is also a need for more natural ball winners and harder workers. However, the result was not the major focus, but the performance, and frankly, there is still plenty to do.

Bravo to the LFA for staging such a top-notched friendly which is an indication that they mean well for the Lone Star and Liberian football. Thanks also to the fans for their unending support.

In our subsequent edition, we will bring you in-depth analyses of the game, the statistics, players rating and recommendation for the future.

Remember, the Lone Star next match is this Sunday against the Menna of Niger, a side they defeated 1-0 at the SKD in the 2004 African Nations Cup qualifiers, courtesy of a goal from the then crafty left footer Prince Daye after a thunderous shot from the sharpshooting Henry Gobah which ricocheted on the cross bar. Former Arsenal man Christopher Wreh had earlier missed a penalty in that match.