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Lone Star Players’ Rating
Liberia Vs Niger African Nations Cup Qualifier
By M.V. Paasewe (SKD Sports Complex)
October 14, 2002
From the onset of the 2004
African Nations Cup qualifiers, Liberia Lone Star, given their most recent
near splendid World Cup qualifiers showing, seemed favorites of the Group II
pairing that also paired Guinea, Niger and Ethiopia. But when the Guinean
national team, Syli Nationale beat Lone Star 3-0 in Conakry last month,
Liberia’s hope of a continental football renewal was miserably doused.
Suddenly, newly appointed Coach Kadala Kromah, smarting from the Guinea
spanking, changed his controversial Act 22 game plan and invited a good
helping of professionals to add
flavor to the sprinkling of
locals, and Liberia sailed once again into contention with a convincing 1-0
win over the Mena of Niger at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex. Liberian
soccer was present, and below is a candid rating of Lone Star players’
performance as they fought gallantly to fly the nation’s flag.
 George
Gebro he was our "Man of the Match".
Gebro demonstrated that indeed he plies his football trade in Greece. He was
a tough opponent for the Nigerien German-based professional Moustapha Aly.
His performance just showed his consistency. His tackles were timely,
anticipation very good, ball possession superb and delivered the ball to the
midfielders and forward very well. His attacking instants did not let him
down as on several occasions he broke through the Nigeriens defense line to
create countless chances for the forwards. Had anxiety not robbed the
forwards of those chances, Lone Star would have scored more than two goals
in the first half. Our Man of the Match just had another good game |
Second Choice Lone Star Goaltender
Boye Pratt (#1):
for a debutant, Pratt was a showcase of maturity and dexterity. Although
Pratt was not really threatened, he made several dashing saves. His
reflexes, especially with cross balls, proved vital in goal threatening
situations. First Choice goalie Louis Crayton himself would have been proud
of Boye’s exploits. Rating: 9 out of 10
Shelton Barlee (#2): the LPRC defender
showed what stuff the local players are made of. Shelton was a formidable
pillar in Lone Star’s defense. Coach Kadala Kromah made a good choice to
feature the lad. Rating: 8 out of 10
George Gebro (#17): the rock of
Gibraltar ala Sarkpa Nyenseor, was THE force to reckon with. Gebro’s
no-none-sense marking and expert ball control in the defense, midfield and
upfront was just classic. The blond haired defender is evidently the most
mature member of the present Lone Star configuration. Rating: 10 out of 10
Varmah Kpoto (#4): the K-legged
defender proved once again that there’s no substitute for professionalism.
Kpoto frustrated Niger’s every effort at finding the equalizer after Lone
Star raised the goal curtain in the second half with a Prince Daye rebound.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Jimmy Dixon (#5): Dulee Johnson’s BK
Hacken (Sweden) teammate proved why he was selected by former Lone Star
technical director George Weah to form the Lone Star Mali 2002 African
Nations Cup line up. The lad has matured beyond his wildest dreams. Rating:
8 out of 10
Larmin Ousmane (#6): This kid was
Kadala Kromah’s wildcard. A complete unknown on the local and international
Liberian soccer scene, Ousmane proved his regular place on the Lone Star
line up during the Niger game. Rating: 8 out of 10
Alvin “Power” Kieh (#12): Another Lone
Star debutante who left everyone with the impression that had the lad
featured earlier for the national team, perhaps the Lone Star might have
qualified for its first World Cup outing and even posed a formidable threat
in the Mali 2002 African Nations Cup. Kieh was brought down in the first
half by a Nigerienne defender. The penalty was unfortunately wasted by
skipper Chris Wreh. Rating 8 out of 10
Chris Wreh (#15): Lone Star’s odd man
out, was a complete disparagement of spectators. Chris Wreh’s lethargy on
and off the ball robbed the Lone Star of many scoring chances created by
attacking libero Prince Daye. The penalty miss confirmed the premonition
that Chris was just not fit for the match. The overweight former Arsenal
poster boy must either shape up or ship out of the national team. Rating: 5
out of 10
Dulee Johnson (#8): A graduate of the
Liberian national youth soccer team, Dulee proved to be too mature for his
age. On the ball, Dulee’s control was reminiscent of James Debbah; and his
dashing runs and perfect coordination made one to remember Lone Star
midfield maestro Kelvin Sebwe. Rating: 9 out of 10
Prince Daye (#10): Always up to the
task, the Rasta haired Bastia goal poacher, who was marked by the
Nigeriennes like “white on rice”, created many scoring chances for the Lone
Star. Prince Daye finally hit home Henry Gobah’s ricocheted bomber that hit
the woodwork. Rating: 10 out of 10
Oscar
Glaydor (#18): could have done better,
but seemed displaced at times. Coach Kadala Kromah made the right decision
to replace Glaydor with Isaac Tondo in the second half. Rating: 6 out 10
Isaac Tondo (#14): destroyed Mauritius
2-0 at home in the 2002 African Nations Cup qualifiers. Tondo is proving to
be a regular threat in the vital zone of any defense any day. Should be
featured regularly to get adjusted to international games. Rating: 8 out of
10
Henry
Gobah (#11): this local boy has all
the markings of Joe “Thunder” Nagbe. Gobah, noted for his well-aimed net
busters, caused the lone goal of the match. Could very well be on the way to
becoming a menace up front for Lone Star’s future opponents.
Rating: 8 out of 10 |
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