Lone Star Squad Released

Physical Defender Murphy Nagbe makes his Lonestar return.
Murphy Nagbe (Orange) ad Fallah Johnson ( Blue) battle for the ball in a Indonesian league match

By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.

The Technical Staff of the Senior National Team of Liberia, Lone Star has released the list of players for the match with Equatorial Guinea in Malabo.

Despite criticisms from home fans, the team released by the Technical Staff, headed by Frank Jericho Nagbe, includes nine players from overseas and the rest being very unknown and inexperienced local talents, including Coach Nagbe’s own son, Frank Nagbe, Jr.

Veteran midfielder Kelvin Sebwe will lead the European contingent, made up of Francis Grand Pa Doe and Swiss-based goalkeeper Louis Crayton.

Sebwe is returning to the Lone Star since the team was declared dissolved by the government after the 2002 Nations Cup finals in Mali. He now plays in Greece.

Grand Pa Doe, also in Greece, and Crayton were involved in the last qualifiers that were a combination of the 2006 Nations Cup and World Cup.

Anthony Laffor happens to be the only players from an African country other than his native Liberia. His selection should not be questioned as he has been exceptionally well for Jomo Cosmos of South Africa.
He has been transformed by Cosmos coach Jomo Sono from a roving midfielder to an attacker as he plays along the Senegalese Mamadou Diallo and Chris Katongo of Zambia.The former LISCR FC man’s comeback is one that many soccer followers have long prayed for.

Like Grand Pa Doe and Crayton, Laffor was also involved in the last qualifiers for the Lone Star.

The four Indonesia-based players chosen are defender Murphy Nagbe, midfielder Steve Mennoh, Eisaiah Benson and striker Perry Kollie.

Kollie is getting his first call due to his thirst for goal. Having seen his output, he has drawn the attention sporting public such that they are desperate to se him in competition match for the Lone Star. And Coach Nagbe has made their wish a reality.

Murphy Nagbe made his debut for Lone Star in Guinea during the 2004 Nations Cup qualifiers but has been absent for a while now.

Eisaiah Benson is no stranger to the Lone Star because he impressed during the 2006 African Nations and World Cups qualifiers. He performs superbly at right back.

Steve Mennoh could be a wonder additional to the squad. He participated in the 2004 qualifiers and even scored on his debut against Ethiopia, which secured a 1-0 win for Liberia at the time. Much is still being said of him when it comes to his current form.

Zah Krangar was lately selected due to huge protest from the football public for his inclusion.

The noticeable absentees include Joe Nagbe, Sunday Seah, Fallah Johnson, Joseph Amoah, Takpo Sonkarliey and Frank Seator. They are all vacationing in Monrovia now.

The coach also ignored the Swedish trio of Dioh Williams, Jimmy Dixon and Dulee Johnson as well as Greek-based Oliver Makor George Gebro of Cyprus.

The Lone Star squad has already moved to camp at the Tinker’s Village on the Robertsfield Highway outside Monrovia.

The Lone Star full delegation is expected to depart the country on Friday, September 1, 2006 to honor the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The squad:
1.Louis Crayton
2.Solomon Wesseh
3.Gizzie Dorbor
4.Shelton Barlee
5.Murphy Nagbe
6.Kelvin Sebwe
7.Anthony Laffor
8.Steve Mennoh
9.Francis Grand Pa Doe
10.Perry Kollie
11.Eric Weeks
12.Melvin King
13.Eisaiah Benson
14.George Baysah
15.Omega Roberts
16.Solomon Roberts
17.Frank Nagbe, Jr.
18.Prince Garwo
19.Sengbe Kennedy
20.Augustine Kettor
21.Nuzohn Kulala
22.Jacob Toe
23.Jerry Bing
24.Johnson Kollie
25.Junior Wilson
26.Zah Krangar
27.Jackson Wleh