Top Twenty Out Field Players In LFA Premiership

 

The top flight of the Liberia Football Association rages on with much excitement. In a league dubbed "The old and accomplished guards verses the young and hungry lads",  fans or followers of the local game are enjoying themselves to the sound and movement of the tebelleh (Local term for football). So far, dark horses Barack Young Controllers (BYC) are astonishingly the team to watch while the likes of big guns LPRC Oilers, LISCR and traditional rivals Mighty Barrolle and Invincible Eleven (IE) are as well in with a shout.

But, whether BYC will conntinue at such exhilirating pace, despite behind the Oilers, or their legs will become too tired in such a massive contest is what remains to be seen. On a more tactical note, BYC are the ones grabbing the headlines, but, interms of technical stewardness or individual brilliance, some twenty outfield players are the ones taking the league by storm.

Who are they and what makes them the main men, the path finders, the trail blazers, the pick in the pack, the giants on the parks, the dangermen, the assets, the linchpins and so forth is what LIBERIAN FOOTBALL CONSULTANT sails you through.

                                20. George Kerkula

He is regarded as the net burster of the newly promoted outfit Adorrence FC. His constant passing through defense, reminiscent of a phantom has made him an ideal customer in the final third. The pace of the younster coupled with his aggression continues to pose problems for opposing defenders. He is indeed the face of his side and he is a major reason his club Adorrence is making early impression in the LFA top flight.

                                    19. Justine Zeon

The gritty midfielder of Mighty Blue Angels, the only premier club outside the Capital Monrovia has shown great spirit in the middle third. His good work ethic, good vision and spirited team approach has made him an attractive component of the Harbel based outfit. He is one player who rallies his clubmates and his never say die attitude and indefatigable fighting spirit makes him a player to watch out for.

                                 18.Mohammed Varney

  Joint second top scorer in the ongoing campaign, the predator in the box has no doubt set the league on fire. With five goals so far, the pacey hit-man is making life uneasy for opposing defenders and goalkeepers. With his side Mighty Blue Angels expected to be strong at home as usual, visiting teams to the Unification Town Sports Pitch will have a lot to do defensively to cage a very close friend of the net with the surname Varney.

                                  17. Leon Power

You may describe him as a tractor, as he plows the flanks for his club Watanga FC. This promising Liberian international who made his debut against the Fennecs or Desert Warriors of Algeria in the first phase qualifiers of the 2010 joint Nations and World Cup is equally effective in the middle of the park as a holding midfielder where he serves as a shield in front his side back four. Nicknamed "Debbah" (ex-Liberian international who featured for notable French clubs Olympique Lyon and AS Monaco), Power is endowed with a good first touch and milky skills and vast speed that conjures many.                                    

                                  16. Andrew Swaray

The attacking ace is one of the reasons Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) is a formidable force in the ongoing title chase. His verve, precision and jinks in attack are qualities that catch the eye. His unending tackles and runs as well as his whole hearted approach makes him a class asset on the local stage.

                                        15. Sam Andrews

The former United Soccer Ambassadors (USA) striker who was transfered close to the start of the season has already established himself in the Mighty Barrolle frontline. His good ball control and movement in the oppoponents goal area has mde him become a regular in the Rollers attack as they aim for their fourth Premiership title.

                                      14. Momo Blamo, Jr

The youngster of promising club Jasmine Rangers hails from a football family as his father is ex-international goalie Momo 'Wall' Blamo. Little Blamo's good work ethic and tigerish bite in the middle of the park distinguishes him from many other players playing in such role.

He covers a lot of ground and is as well a descent passer of the ball which set his teammates up for goal.

                                          13.Gus Totimeh

A very deadly striker of Jasmine Rangers who combines speed with skills. He is a terror in the final third, and is a delight to watch on a day. The youngster has the carriage of a modern day striker, as his mazy runs, depth touches and subtle moves proves a handful to the opponents. Not the biggest of strikers though, but he can finesse and bewilder giant sized defenders in rattling the net to their disbelief.

                                           12.Mulbah Freeman

With his partner Gus Totimeh, they form arguably the best pair of strike force in the LFA sponsor-less league. If his partner is a joy to watch, he is a jewel in the attack, as his sleek form and great improvisation proves difficult for his markers. Good on the first touch, effective at providing the element of surprise and is an ideal proponent of attacking football. With him, Jasmine Rangers can effeciently compete.

                                         11.Jerome Doe

The lanky assassin who is on loan from Second Division club Gardnersville FC, has so far produced the first magic in the over crowded premiership after using his sublime skills to walk into an ungarded net. It was when his side Monrovia Breweries nipped Joe Nagbe's FC A.K. at the Nancy B. Doe Stadium in Kakata, Margibi County.

This inventive teenager mesmerized three defenders including the experienced international  Varmah Kpoto before rounding off the onrushing goalie to play the ball in an empty net to mark his side first win of the season.

Playing as the team's leading front man which can be described as orthodox 'number 9', the technically gifted teenager who is also functional as a box to box midfielder is so far the pick in the pack for the Beer boys.

                                                    10.Joseph Kelleh Hina

A veteran on the local scene, Kelleh has made scoring one of his own as he helps lift Liberia's darling club Invincible Eleven (IE). After his expedition in Ghana, South Africa, Cameroun and Equatorial Guinea, the deadly finisher returned to his homeland, Liberia in 2007, and to his accustom habit of familiarizing his boot with the opponent net.

Through this, he emerged as the league's top scorer as his club IE ended their eleven years wait for a title, and at the same time, ended the Mighty Barrolle, LPRC Oilers dominance in the Liberian top flight.

After saving IE already this season in his late minute leveller against youthful but early days minnows United Soccer Ambassadors (USA), it is an indicator that the strikers nemesis, 'Goal Famine' is too far from him as he yearns to punish goalkeepers with his mouth watering strikes.                                                     

                                                   9.Melvin George

After a master card performance against sentimental favourites LISCR where his side won 2-0, the towering midfileder cum striker looks set to lead his side NPA Anchors onslaught in this season championship chase. His aerial prowess, technical versatility and ferocious kicking ability are reasons why lovers of the anchors believe they still have a shout in lifting their first top flight title since the '94/'95 season. His goal scoring instinct and conjuring ball skills reminiscent of current African footballer of the year Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor are idolized by the Freeport faithfuls.

                                                 8.Jacob Toe

If you were not lucky too see ex-Liberian international and French club SC Bastia crafty left footed wide Prince Daye man in action during his hey days, then you must start seeing the matches of the 'once sensational and always sensational' LPRC OIlers in action. By seeing the star studded and accomplished team play, you will be thrilled by a certain pretender in the form of Jacob Toe whose career seem to have been revised since leaving LISCR on what should be termed the"'Bossman Rule". Like the once skillful Daye who has since gone in thin air with all his qualities, the soft talking Toe is getting pass defenders with ease, elgance and grace as his side shows consistency in the campaign. Using his skills is like a dancer performing a ballad on stage which causes one's mouth to water profusely.

If you ask me, i will say the Oilers wide man is the modern day version of Prince 'Bastia Rasta' Daye.

                                                          7. Robert Teah

One reason the Oilers have not conceded a single goal in their five matches played so far this season is due to the workaholic nature of their holding cum balance midfielder Robert Klaybalay Teah. Since making his debut for the senior national team the Lone Star at the famous First National Bank (FNB) stadium in Johannesburg where the Lone Star lost to South Africa's Bafana Bafana in the qualifiers of the 2002 Nations Cup, the burly marker and passer who is often used as a protective coverage for the back four has been a virtuoso performer no matter which jersey he dooms.

His placid or calm marking and distribution makes this local stage veteran a player who still has plenty to offer as far as football is concerned in this part of the world.

                                                       6. Patrick Wleh

He is regarded as the 'Ronaldinho Gaucho' on the local stage due to his exquisite skills. An asset of LISCR FC, this towering artist on the ball is fond of creating a screen infront his opponents defense. In tight situations where he is faced with the task of outpacing or dribbling opponents, the teenager does so in a rather effortless manner.

Since returning from Israel where he had problems with club's legitimacy, due to wrangling between FC AK and LISCR (due to one of the FA's devilish acts in erroneously hijacking team's players), the local Ronaldinho has shown commitment and character in playing the game he knows best. With three goals already to his belt, he is showing the hunger of wanting more.

                                                        5.Gizzie Dorbor

This resourceful left wing back who made his international debut against the Eagles of Mali in the 2006 Nations Cup qualifiers is the captain of club LISCR and a mainstay in his his side back four. His lithe marking and diagonal crosses are his forte.The former Karn United integral member is often a difficult opponent to get by as his intelligence and technique proves it all.

                                                       4.Patrick Doeplah

He took the league by storm by scoring a brace against Roots-UMC in the opening match and a solitary against Jasmine Rangers. Since his disappointing trial in Turkey with Azerbaijan club Bakut reportedly due to agent problem, the cultured left foot has established himself as a lethal striker. Doeplah is quite a multi functional player as he operates as a wing back and central midfielder in style.

His work rate is as well admirable and the teenager who was exposed to Liberian football by Gardnersville FC in the Second Division before moving over to Roots FC and then Mighty Barrolle where he featured in the African Club Championship against Ivorian side Sewe Sports, is one of the reasons LISCR admirers believe they are in spitting distance for the title.

                                               3.Nuzohn Kulala

Another sweet left footed player who has being a prized asset for Mighty Barrolle for a couple of seasons now. His pace and mesmerizing skills have made the Rollers to be amongst the favorites in this on going campaign. Not the best in fighting for the ball, but when he is in possession, his opponents will tell you he is a menace. Very effective as a winger and a supporting striker, Zidenmaro as he is also known, is one player who can make a defense full of rain or fire on a good day.

                                                2.Weaka Wisseh

This hard working striker of Mighty Barrolle is a giant on the park. His physical posture, fighting spirit and goal scoring prowess has made the ex-Gedi & Sons front runner to be amongst the country's leading strikers. With the Rollers asking for the fourth premiership crown, the gangling Wisseh will be heavily relied upon to rattle the net for the 'kanyan pepper' boys.

                                                1. Matthew Dede

Connoisseurs believe that Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) were amongst the many clubs in shouting distance for the title. But, they are the surprise package in the 18 teams premiership as they sit second on the log to the disbelief of pundits. One man who is responsible for such meteoric rise of the club above some of the elites of the local game is a certain Matthew Dede. With a stint in the Ghanaian Second tier with Budumburam FC, the normally hair-braided marksman who featured for the Breweries a couple of seasons ago, is leading the scoring chart with five goals out of four games with more still to come.

His lanky posture causes him to be over looked at times, but it is noticed that when he is in possession he is a magician with the ball at his feet.