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November 20, 2002

Siebo D. Williams
Monrovia

Yesterday, most of the African countries national teams were engaged in test matches in preparation for the 2004 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The likes of South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, Tunisia, Egypt, among others were scheduled to play test matches yesterday in preparation for the Nations Cup qualifiers.

While those countries are spending huge sums of money to prepare for the 2004 Nations Cup qualifiers, the nation's pride, the Lone Star is back to where she left in the last African Cup of Nations Cup qualifiers.

Up to press time, the Lone Star still remains the only team on the continent that is not playing test matches again, leading to the qualifiers of the 2004 Nations Cup finals.

Liberia is scheduled to play Ethiopia March 2003. Some see the time to still be far away, but the programs of the other countries should ring a bell into the ears of Liberians.

Those teams that are playing test matches are doing so to keep their teams together in terms of cohesion, and keeping their playing pattern on course. But for Liberia, the coaches are yet to be contracted and given their wages, something which makes it impossible for them to draw out training programs leading up to March 2003.

Let it be made clear that those teams are playing test matches stand a better chance of making impact in the qualifiers. Liberians should not be surprised when the Lone Star fails to qualify because sports authorities and National Government are yet to arrange test matches for the team.

It is not late yet. Lone Star still has enough time to play test matches before the scheduled match against Ethiopia in 2003.

The need for the Lone Star to play test matches should be paramount because once the team is not prepared, it will not make the necessary impact. A hint to the wise!