Maturing through the rungs of the football ladder is the accepted way to becoming a bright football player. Many players, especially Liberian players, have escaped the basic education and football stages.

Liberia’s foreign exports have faded with George Weah as those he attracted to Europe have all disappeared from the European stage. The groundwork Weah might have thought of is now betrayed.

But a few of the youth that have gathered the fundamentals and experience growing through the various stages are still hopeful of lubricating the foreign exports wheels.

Liberiansoccer.com spoke with Zah Krangar, formerly of the Liberia U-13, U-14 & U-15 teams that won the Gothia and Danes Cups in 1997, 1998 and 1999. He now plays in the Cameroon 1st division league with Racing Club de Bafoussam.


Liberiansoccer.com: Welcome to Liberiansoccer.com and thanks for your progress in the just ended Cameroonian league.

Zah Krangar: Thanks

Liberiansoccer.com: What is football to you, and not something else?

Zah Krangar: It’s hard to tell, but playing football is an everyday thing when I am in the classroom or helping with the house chore. I like kicking round objects and also like my friends chasing me trying to get the object.

Liberiansoccer.com: You went to Sweden when you were 11 years, and how was it like playing at that age?

Zah Krangar: My first game was against Russia, and because the players were my size I enjoyed dribbling them. The players were sweet to dribble and very funny...he laughs!

Liberiansoccer.com: Liberia won the tournament three times in row, what you think was the reason?

Zah Krangar: When we played in the Gothia Cup in 1997, we scored a lot of goals because we had players that could dribble and pass well. We had good coaches and also learned from those that we beat too.

Liberiansoccer.com: You even went on to play in the Swedish youth League after the 1999 trip along with seven others.

Zah Krangar: We were recruited by Stig Johanssen who helped us greatly and we were helpful to his team. Dulee returned afterward because there were a lot of immigration works for the all of us, so he took the lead and has been exceptional.

Liberiansoccer.com: You just completed your first season in Cameroon, how was it playing among the tough players?

Zah Krangar: It has been a great exposure for me, and I have learned a lot. The league is rough and you must be clever is you aren’t strong to mark boot -to-boot. The league is strictly physical and boys don’t easily get along. As I said, if you’re a boy, then you must be clever and quick.

Liberiansoccer.com: What did you do to score 4 goals and play 32 matches?

Zah Krangar: Frankly, my muscles are too light to match the tough players, so I was quick in my passes, dribble lightly and was playing a supporting role behind two strikers.

Liberiansoccer.com: On the success of Liberian football, what you think as a player is holding us back?

Zah Krangar: We thought we were going to stay together after three successive trips to Sweden, Denmark and Norway, but we were wrong. There was nothing to keep us together back in Monrovia. I think deception and lack of planning are holding us back.

Liberiansoccer.com: What do you advise for the improvement of Liberia’s football?

Zah Krangar: The FA needs to re-group that smart blend of players and add some other players and form a solid U-20 team and focus mostly on youth programs.

Liberiansoccer.com: What are your ambitions right now and where do you hope to move next season?

Zah Krangar: I have the basic training to adapt to European football more quickly and would be wrong if I tell you Zah is matured for Manchester United or Juventus. But I have the prospects any coach would like and is willing to move where football players are treated fairly.

Liberiansoccer.com: What are your secrets and what you enjoy doing on the ball?

Zah Krangar: Smile! I have got the third eye for the midfield. Dulee and Dioh must be grateful to Zah because I made them scored goals in Sweden. Because I pass the ball well, and control the ball with much ease, my age and size is no matter again.

Liberiansoccer.com: We wish you the best in your career and thank you for the time.

Zah Krangar: Please accept my thanks for letting people know about us too.