Liberians Look Up To Lone Star
Gbandi, not known at home,
Makes his Lone Star Debut
By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
If the Lone Star has not played past their strength, then the time
is now. The team is experiencing severe pressure from fans,
otherwise known as "Mouth Invaders."
The Lone Star will go face to face with the Lions of Teranga of
Senegal on Sunday, 4th October, 2004 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports
Complex. This is one of three Group Two matches taking place over
the weekend in the African version of the journey to the 2006 World
Cup finals in Germany as well as the Nations Cup in Egypt.
Kadallah Kromah, the Lone Star chief tactical man, is without
doubt contended to see that all but 14 of the foreign based players
selected by the technical crew have arrived on time for the crucial
match that Liberians cannot afford to see their team surrender to
the thirsty Senegalese' Lions.
Considering previous results, there are, however, worries among
Liberians ahead of the match. It would be an injustice for one to
say momentum is very high among Liberians. The fans mainly intend to
throng the SK Doe Stadium to see with their naked eyes the wonderful
Senegalese prodigies, such as former African Footballer of the Year
El Hadji Diouf, Henri Camara, Pape Bouba Diop and Salif Diao, who
took the 2002 World Cup by storm by reaching as far as the quarters
finals.
Yet, there are some who believe that the Lone Star has
graduated from poor results and look set to rise from its slumber. I
mean victory they are optimistic of.
Gone are the days of George Oppong Weah, James Salinsa Debbah and
Joe Thunder Nagbe who took the team to two Nations Cup finals in
South Africa (1996) and Mali in 2002. This is purely the era of the
new breed of players who are scattered around the globe and eager to
continue from where "Generation Weah" stopped. Coach Kromah cast his
net and drew out players from the leagues of the United States,
Asia, Africa and Europe for the tough task of reaching the two
soccer festivals in two years' time.
The players have been responding by appearing for matches and they
are in Monrovia again as part of their mission to convince their
countrymen that this is indeed their time.
New found skipper John Menyongar, better known as Pekin John or
Little John, and his deputy Louis Crayton are among the graduates of
the old school still kicking for the Lone Star. The duo has arrived
in Monrovia and will be in action against Senegal. The two will
combine with the likes of Fallah Johnson, Anthony Ballah, Anthony
Langford, Dulee Johnson and Jimmy Dixon. Also available are Ben
Tekloh, Francis Forkay Grand Pa Doe, McColm Cephas, Melvin Tarley
and the newest of the faces, Chris Gbandi.
Joseph Amoah is expected. There is then the local contingent
of Isaac Tondo, Solomon Grimes, Pascal Karblee, Solomon Wesseh,
Lartee Jackson and kid dynamic Abu Sando.
George Gebro and Varmah Kpoto are both injured. So, Gbandi, not
known at home, will be the gamble although his first touch of the
ball at practice session did not convince many that he is the right
replacement for Kpoto and Gebro.
Another debatable decision is the inclusion of John Moses. He was
once upon a time a great scorer in Liberian soccer. Those were his
days at FDA Foresters and Mighty Barrolle. He now plays in Hungary
but little is heard about his output in that part of Europe. Coach
Kromah relies on Moses to bang in the goals this time around after
the team failed to score in the last three consecutive encounters.
He is not exceptional like Zizi Roberts, but he acts like one that
plays by the rules.
The team has gathered at the so-called Kailondo Hotel on Old Road,
Sinkor. Liberia is known for hosting visiting teams in decent
hotels, while their own Lone Star is kept in substandard hotels.
True to this, the team is camping in a hurriedly prepared Kailondo
"Hotel." In fact, the proprietor George Kailondo nearly got beaten
by angry fans watching the team train at the SKD Stadium. They
verbally attacked Mr. Kailondo on grounds that his hotel was not
conducive for the Lone Star, especially so when most of the players
are from overseas. They accused him of conniving with sports and
football to dupe the team of huge cash. Whatever the case, Liberia
is just Liberia. No one can change that.
Meanwhile, the former FA boss Edwin Snowe is trying to find an
alternative for the Kailondo Hotel at the last hour amidst claims
that the current camping site is infested with heat and the scent of
fresh paint. As head of the group responsible for collecting money
for the team, Snowe invited the team to his luxurious mansion
overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to share his good lifestyle with the
Lone Star that he led to the 2002 Nations Cup while at the helm of
Liberian soccer. The Lone Star dined at Snowe's compound on Friday.
At the same time, never mind the pre-match situations. The Lone
Star, especially coach Kromah, must put his critics to shame by
pulling the victory sole desired Liberians. The team must not be
deterred because the Lions will roar in their face. But all must be
done to grab nothing but win; otherwise a traumatized Liberian
society will descend on anyone responsible for increasing their
frustration.
The die is cast. The stage is set. No turning back. All say the
Lone Star must go all the way to Germany and
Egypt. |
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