Momo Blamo Suggests Lone Star Technical Team

    By Omari Jackson

    The last time the national soccer team, Lone Star participated in a prestigious tournament, the results were not encouraging.

     Even with a new German-coach, (Antoine Hey), at the head of the technical staff, the team’s performance was more than desired.

      The unimpressive performance caused many followers to wonder what might have gone wrong.

      “It was a shock,” someone reportedly said, when during Lone Star’s first encounter in Monrovia, several Liberians lost their lives, due to a mishap at the stadium in a match against The Gambia.

        The successive encounters proved many commentators correct that Liberia was not adequately prepared for such high levels competitions. But when that simple fact was realized, the damage had been done.

       When he returned from a CAF-sponsored congress in Nigeria, former LPRC-Oilers’ striker, Sam Bedford, who was affectionately called ‘Expolay’ now at the Liberia Football Association announced a freeze on the team’s activities until a creditable team had been assembled and built to better represent Liberia.

         “Why wait till we are humiliated?”  Lone Star’s supporter, James Solo said, in a telephone interview from Monrovia. “At least some action is in place.”

        Now the question is: How do we rebuild a new national team? To answer the question you may have to pick up your phone and call Florida, USA to seek the opinion of ex-international-turned politician, George Weah.

         But just in case you don’t have the number, then we can turn our attention to Belgium and seek the help of Liberia’s international goalkeeper, Momo Blamo, the goalkeeper known as The Wall.

        And that was exactly what I did, where the SAVA FC of Antwerpen goalkeeper offers a selection of a technical team for the rebuilding of the national team, for the next couple of years.

       Did I say Blamo had been known as The Wall? And you may want to know the history behind it.

       When the golden days of Liberian soccer was at its highest peak in the late ‘80s and the ‘90s, Blamo was one player, who, with his flat-chest structure, would stand between the post of the Lone Star and his club Mighty Barrolle, and deny opponents any chance of victory. In many occasions he stood like a wall in the goal-post.

     Now let’s follow The Wall and consider his recommendations for the new Lone Star’s technical team:

      Italian Roberto Landi as the Head coach

      He suggests Italian Roberto Landi as the Head coach. Why do you think Coach Landi must be the choice? I ask him.

     Blamo replies, “At his last interview before Coach Hey was selected, Coach Landi said he was willing to develop the Lone Star, and though the World Cup campaign was too tasking, he said he could concentrate on the African Nations Cup. His willingness to help Liberia makes him a prime candidate for the future Lone Star. He has the experience and the authority. I understand he is presently in Italy and we can contact him with any offers we have.

    Deputy national coach Kadalla Kromah

    I ask him why he considers Mr. Kromah for the deputy position.

    Blamo offers this response: “Coach Kromah has coached clubs in Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. He has the experience as an international coach, and so despite some personal run-ins in the past he must be allowed to serve his country again.”

     Physical Trainer Hazel Gray

     He says Hazel Gray is the likeliest candidate for this job, and I ask him why?

     Blamo replies with a chuckle: “Hazel has been with the national team in that capacity for a while and he knows how to deal with players for the national soccer team. As a former player he stands a chance to interact with selected players than anyone I can think on right now. He has self-respect and is committed to his challenges.”

    Goalkeeper Trainer Lucretius Togba

     Former St. Joseph’s Warriors goal tender, Lucretius Togba is his next choice to train any goalkeeper for the national team. And his reason?

     Blamo says: “Lucretius Togba played for the national team and has great experience in that area. He works harder in that area than anyone I can imagine now.

      Team Manager Wortor Anderson (Skito)

       Blamo then suggests the team manger position should go to ex-international referee, J. Wotor Anderson, and I pose the question: why?

       Blamo’s response is this: “Wortor has served in that capacity under ex-national coaches the late Walter Pelham, Tony Kuoh and even Kadalla Kromah. He knows the ins and outs as a manager and I believe that he will bring momentum back to the team.”

        He says authorities must consider his suggestions and move faster to set ball rolling so that the Lone Star team-building can start as soon as it is possible.

       “I am here to help out,” he says, “Lone Star will shine again.”