|
Lone Star Clinch Important
Win over Niger
Hope Revived for Liberia’s Nations Cup Berth
By M.V. Paasewe
October 12, 2002
The nation’s pride and joy, the Lone Star soccer squad today revived the
hopes of million Liberians and more than 40,000 spectators that watched the
African Nations Cup qualifier against the Mena of Niger at the Samuel Kanyon
Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
Lone Star clinched a convincing 1-0 win to take second place on Group II.
Lone Star’s second half goal came after a frustrating penalty miss by
overweight skipper Chris Wreh in the 36th minute of the first half.
Chris Wreh, who was a complete shadow of the lad who once led Arsenal to Cup
glory, was booed when Coach Kadala Kromah substituted him in the second
half. Chris was replaced by Lone Star debutant Lamin Osman who plays
professional soccer in Cyprus.
The entry of Lamin Osman and local star Isaac Tondo changed the attacking
machinery of Lone Star whose players assaulted Niger’s goal mouth
continuously.
But it was a Dulee Johnson- Ivan “Power” Kieh connection to Prince “Bastia
Rasta” Daye that saved the day. The entire second half was dominated by the
Lone Star as the players selflessly asserted themselves to the merriment of
the spectators.
Lone Star’s equal ball distribution caused an excited fan to call the
pattern “total football”.
Blond-haired George Gebro proved his maturity by assuming total control of
the midfield, at times making dashing dangerous moves into Mena’s 18-yard
box. Gebro was our Man of the Match.
Niger Line up:
Daoudo Kassely (1); Tchekoola Ousamanie (5); Moustafa Ali (4); Roger R.
Siaka (13); Marky Agbenya (6); Pascal Ancet (11); Issouta Zakary (12); Mamay
Lawali (3); Tankari Amadou (10); Hassan Adam (18); Allhassane Issoutou (9);
Dardaho Aboubakar (16); Allassane Ishmael (5); Madi Hassane (2); Zakary Abdo;
Barka Abdoulaye (7) and Djibo Hamido (18).
Liberia Line up:
Boye Pratt (1); Barlee Shelton (second choice goalie); George Gebro (17);
Varmah Kpoto (4); Jimmy Dixon (5); Ousman Larmine (6); Alvin Kieh (12);
Chris Wreh (13); Dulee Johnson (8); Prince Daye (10); Oscar Glaydor (18);
Murphy Nagbe (3); Rufus Saloe (7); Henry Gobah (11); Eugene Gray (13); Isaac
Tondo (14); Frederick Vah (9 sub) and Latee Jackson 16). |
|
