The Rebirth Of Liberian Football?  -
As LFA League Finally Kicked Off


                           Lone Star Captain Murphy Nagbe

By Roland M. Mulbah

It seems football is gradually getting on course in the war tone tiny West African country, Liberia as thousands of fans parked the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia to watch the opening of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) 2009 national league where LISCR FC trashed youthful UMC Roots FC 4-1 in a match described as experienced against youthfulness.

Many keen observers of Liberian football have described the turnout, superb ball display and cheering of local football as “the rebirth of Liberian football” most especially at the time where the Captain of the Senior National team of Liberia (Lone Star) Murphy Komonple Nagbe has brought a big boost to local football as he restarts his soccer career at home with LFA premier outfit LISCR FC after periods on the sideline due to the broken leg he sustained against Senegal in 2008. 

Is it really the rebirth of Liberian football as maintained by many? www.liberiansoccer.com Reporter Roland M. Mulbah reports.

Mustapha Raji’s LISCR FC had a tremendous start to the LFA premiership championship race as the team walloped another LFA premier outfit UMC Roots FC 4-1 in a one way traffic match at the ATS on Saturday, Maech 28, 2009.

The duel, which started 16: 00PM, saw Liberian International defender George Baysah rattled the net and put LISCR FC in front from Gizzie Dorbor cross in just three minutes of player with a brilliant header after the entire UMC Roots FC defense blundered.

The early goal caused Roots FC in disarray in their quest for the first three points of the LFA 2009 National league.

                                                          Side Attractions at ATS

Former Liberia’s Lone Star head Coach, Vava George, who took the red, white and blue outfit to the African Nations’ cup in Mali 2002, is at the helm of authority as head coach of UMC Roots FC whose technical know-how could only see LISCR FC in a 2-0 lead in just nine minutes of play as former Mighty Barrolle left back Patrick Doepleh left footed shot beat Roots goalie Samson Giddings who flopped in a the duel.

The kids mounted momentous pressure on their bigger brothers and their effort paid off well in the 23^rd minute as Captain Sengbeh Sayon reduced the score line from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Lone Star Captain Murphy Nagbe.

 After the goal, Roots FC gained possession of the play, while newly confirmed FIFA-badged LFA referee Jerry Yekeh yellow carded Murphy for arguing after the penalty was called.

Doepleh and Baysah than completed a brace each in the 27^th and 32^nd minutes through penalty and header respectively as the first stanza ended 4-1 in LISCR FC’s favor.

Back from recess, it was a 50-50 duel as Roots tried to reduce the scored line, while their illustrious opponent LISCR FC now engaged in a two way tactics with superb defending and counter attacks.

The entire second half proved blank, but LISCR FC secured a 4-1 victory.

The biggest argument now is on the huge turnout for the opening match at the ATS where many have described it as the rebirth of Liberian football.

This was the first time in many years of Liberia football where clubs brought in fans fully uniformed and side attractions were seen at half time where girls took the stage in beautiful dances to amuse fans as the teams prepared for the second half.

Some also believe with Murphy Nagbe and other Indonesian based Liberian footballers returning to local football after some horrific periods outside Liberia, could be described as a big boost and the rebirth of Liberian football.

Murphy Nagbe broke his left foot on June 21, 2008 in Dakar when Lone Star lost 3-1 against Senegal in the 2010 world and nations’ cup qualifiers.

Since than, the burly Liberian defender and Captain has struggle for form and feels it is no mistake to restart his career at home.

“This is an agreement signed with LISCR FC that I restart my career here and regain my form and later move in a competitive league to continue my career.

“I believe it is no mistake playing at home. I saw fans of Liberian football parked the ATS and I believe the days of old are nearing.

“I want to be grateful to LISCR FC for giving me a restart to my career and it was beautiful playing in Liberia once again,” the no nonsense Liberia Senior football Captain and defender noted.

Meanwhile, LFA triple champions Black Star had a shaky start to the campaign when the team went down to Gedi and Sons in Unification Town (UNT).