Lone
Star Participating Out of Fear
-Says Samuel Karn
By: Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
March 28, 2003
The Lone of Liberia is expected to meet Ethiopia
this weekend in an African Nations Cup qualifier in Addis Ababa. The
two teams are in Group Two along with Guinea and Niger with each side
possessing three points.
The team departed Monrovia on the morning of
Wednesday, March 26, for the Roberts International Airport for
Ethiopia via Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The team's departure preceded sluggish preparation that
was climaxed by an alleged unilateral decision by Youth and Sports
Minister Max Dennis to withdraw the Lone Star from the Nations Cup
qualifiers before the LFA saved the day.
However, in a pre-match chat, Mr. Samuel Karn who
owns the second division side Karn United Sports Association alias
Powerful KUSA, expressed doubt that the Lone Star will emerge with
flying colors against Ethiopia and perhaps subsequent
matches.
Mr. Karn, who is also a keen follower of the Liberian soccer
game, said," we are not prepared." The veteran football guru noted
that," it is out of fear that we are participating." He went on to
frown at treatment meted out against the locals players of the Lone
Star. "We are not able to give L$50.00 to the players, that is why
they boycotted training. What do you expect of such a team?"
At least 12 local players, whose treatment has drawn the attention
of Mr. Karn, have made the trip for Ethiopia.
The players include Lartee Jackson (IE), Boye Pratt (LPRC
Oilers), Varmah Kpoto (clubless), Shelton Barlee (LPRC Oilers), Rufus
Sarlue (Mighty Barrolle), Janjay Innis (club not available),
Frederick Vah (Mighty Barrolle) and Lamine Ousmane (club not
available).
The rest of the local players travelling with the team are
Oscar Glaydor (St. Anthony), Henry Gobah (LISCR FC), Isaac Tondo (St.
Anthony) and Takpo Sonkarliey (Mighty Blue Angels).
The local based players will be blended with the six foreign based
players that Lone Star Head Coach Kadala Kromah hopes will appear for
the match.
The foreign legions named by Coach Kromah are George Gebro
(Greece), Jimmy Dixon (BK Hacken,Sweden), Alvin "Power" Kieh (Cyprus),
Prince Daye (Club Africain, Tunisia), Edward "Zico" Dixon (Bourg
Peronnas, France) and Bill Neewray (FC Beks, Switzerland).
An Executive Committee Member of the Liberia Football Association
(LFA), Mr. Peter Kabia, is heading the delegation to Ethiopia with
assistance from Mr. Christian King, who is Sports Specialist at the
Ministry of Youth and Sports.
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