The issue of the National Team “The Lone Star” is something rarely discussed nowadays as sporting authorities are accused of running football in a lackadaisical manner thus hurting the team and making football remain at low ebb in the country.

The Lone Star is no doubt sinking with out trace, for it has now become a minnow on the continent.

 Wleh Bedell has been following recent developments and reports that another decision has been reached that would either improve the standing of the team or exacerbate things in its already dwindling state.

 At long last the wrangling between the Ministry of Youth and Sports  and the Liberia Football Association over who should take charge of the National Team is now over, with the latter’s choice Joseph Sayon alias Kofi Bruce standing as head.

 But, under condition and would only remain if the team does well or could get the sack if the team form become impressive. So, Kofi Bruce survival will largely depend on the result of every match, while the former choice Wilfred Tijani Larder stands as deputy.

 At a meeting chaired by Land and Mines Minister Jonathan Mason at his office, representatives of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) and the Liberia Football Association (LFA) unanimously agreed on the decision which they termed as good for the sake of the game. Navarro Sackie was also appointed to the position of advisor to the National Team.

 Minister Mason who is a member of the government fund raising committee to pay the US$21,000 fine imposed by CAF for crowd trouble at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex during the Liberia Senegal match on October 10 last year, played a key role in resolving this coach issue between the two parties.

 And, the team has begun practice though without the deputy who is said to be bereaved.  Minister Mason has however provided ten bags of rice and eating utensils for the exercise, gesture observers considered as patriotic.

 The Lone Star’s fate is uncertain, as they are second from bottom in their group.  After the meeting, Mr. Sackie who now doubles his role of advisor of the team and Sports Director at the Ministry said the Ministry had to give in on the coach selection for the sake of peace.

 For his part, Acting Sports Minister Peter Vuku admitted that though Kofi Bruce is “not competent” for the position of head coach, but quickly added that they had to find a compromise for the sole idea of carrying the game forward.

 With this latest development, pundits are taken aback by such a decision, where competence would be ostracized for incompetence.

 They described this as another mockery to the progress of the global leather.

 Minister Mason, a long time advocate of the merit system was part of a decision which many believe is eyebrow raising.

 The question on everyone’s lips is what was the yardstick used in making such decision? What are the achievements of both coaches? What are their track records?

 Kofi Bruce, deputy under Kadallah Kromah has been an underachiever, as his performance can be rated as below par.

 His recent sacking by premiership relegation survivor Alliance Football Club for poor string of results is a pointer.

He was unconvincing at Watanga Football Club then in the second division who parted company with him for dismal performance. Mighty Barrolle, a club he played for during his heydays as a player is another club that parted company with him due to lackluster showing.

 His major coaching course was a one-week FIFA FUTURO Course in 2000, where former French Technical Director Phillip Redon served as instructor.

 Wilfred Tijani Lardner is inarguably Liberia’s most accomplished coach, as he became the first tactician to take the National Team to the Nations Cup at South Africa in 1996, having had training in Brazil, Germany and France. On the domestic scene, Coach Lardner transformed Cedar United to a formidable force in the 80’s.

 Invincible Eleven’s (I.E) famous victory over George Alhassan led Accra Great Olympic at the Accra Sports Stadium in the 1991 African Cup Winners Cup competition is another monumental achievement. Also the Invincible Eleven (I.E) conquering of Sierra Leone in 1992 is still fresh on people’s mind.

 The hard working tactician guarded Junior Professionals in winning the LFA Knockout Crown in 2000.

 Taking into account all of these, it sounds too prone to believe that Minister Jonathan Mason a role model would chair a meeting to contribute to such a shocking decision.

 But, apparently the Minister was taking into consideration the FA’s huge influence especially its link with world football governing body FIFA which always caution national governments to keep off from making decisions to the discontentment of the FAs, because as one Sports Ministry official put it, “If we had become recalcitrant on the matter, the FA would have had nothing to loose.

  Even, without the Lone Star they would have carried out their local league and make their money. Then, we could be termed as failure for not completing the Lone Star remaining batch of matches.”

The Minister proper Madam Wheatonia Dixon Barnes is reportedly due in the country on Wednesday, and only the heavens know what frame of mind she is in concerning this development of the coach selection.

 But, with Kofi Bruce now in charge, and the National Team resuming training where some players being selected are either not starters or unconvincing for their respective clubs here on the local scene, and the country unable to rely on any high profile foreign based player because of the modest league they are playing, one can only pray for God’s mercy as the crest fallen Lone Star prepares for the deadly Teranga Lions of Senegal on March 25 in Dakar.