Striker
Johnson to Quit Female Squad
March 24, 2006
As Liberia National Female U-20 Team gears up for the second stage of
the of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) U-20 Female
Champion, one of the team's leading strikers, Miatta Johnson, is to
quit the team.
Speaking to The Liberiansoccer.com recently on phone, Johnson said her
decision is due to the lack of seriousness by the sports authorities
in the country.
According to her, the sports authorities are not showing much interest
in the team ahead of the ensuing match with the Algerian counterpart
in Algiers.
She said the game of football needs early preparation, noting that
since the failure of the Guinean team to show up for the first leg in
Monrovia, they are yet to hear anything relating to preparation for
the competition.
"It is just discouraging to see sports authorities being very mute,
especially as regards to our preparation for the next the CAF U-20
female competition," she pointed out.
The Lone Star U-20 Female team left-winger, who plays for Professional
Anchors, further said it is too early for those in authority to
portray such attitude to a team that many consider to be the linchpin
for growth of female football in country.
"There is need for sports authorities to attach seriousness to the
building of this team which is prepared to make history for the first
time since the game was introduced in the country in 1996," she noted.
Player Johnson comment is coming at the time when dark cloud is
hanging over the team's trip to Algiers, Algeria to take on their
Algerian counterpart.
Sources close to the local football house have indicated that the
Liberian Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has
informed the Liberia Football Association (LFA) of its inability to
provide funds for the female U-20 team's trip to Algiers.
But Sports Minister Jamessetta Wolokollie has continued to ensure
Liberians that the team has gotten the blessings of the government,
citing President Sirleaf's fund drive launched previously before the
team's match against Guinea that was to take place at the Antoinette
Tubman Stadium (ATS) two weeks ago as example.
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