Search For Next Weah Intensifies


      By: Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
LiberianSoccer.com Beat Reporter

  At the end of 2002 African Nations Cup, the legendary George Weah announced his retirement from international football. Since then, the Liberian people have been looking for a player to fill in the vacuum created by the former World, European and African best player but their search has ended in vain. As a result, the entire nation now turns to the players at the Under-13 category to replace Weah.

      Although there were strong convictions that Christopher Wreh, Prince Daye and Zizi Roberts would step into Weah's shoes, but none of the young trio has proved to be a sure candidate following years of scrutiny by soccer connoisseurs. A new search became inevitable as Wreh, Daye and Roberts failed to live up to the expectation reposed in them by the Liberian people, if not the rest of the world, by virtue of their beautiful skills. "How can these three players replace Weah when up to present, they are not making any meaning impact in Europe?" a soccer analyst asked. He added that with Christopher Wreh's failure to secure a club for years now coupled with Prince Daye's inability to grab a regular place at French club Bastia as well as Greek side Olympiako's decision to cancel the contract of Zizi Roberts, there is a serious doubt about their ability to become Weah's successor. Meanwhile, Zizi Roberts has now signed for the Colorado Rapids of the US Major League Soccer (MLS).

      With the obvious failure of the three players, Liberians seem to now be looking up to the new breed of talents especially the ones in the Under-13 category. Memories are still fresh regarding the way the national Under-13 squad of the 1990s went on to conquer Europe for three consecutive years.

     From the conglomeration of soccer talents, perhaps only Dulee Johnson emerged as the best candidate to continue from where Weah stopped. The stylish player, who plays in both positions as midfielder and striker, has since been getting regular calls to the national team Lone Star from his base in Sweden where he plays for BK Hacken in the Premier League having been transferred from third division outfit Floda Bolf.

    Most of Dulee Johnson's colleagues at the time in Frank Nagbe, Jr., George Boe, Zack Krangar, Dio Williams are playing actively for first and second division teams at home and abroad. That is why the LBDI\Western Union Money Transfer last year began an annual event that would keep the Under-13 scheme alive with several kids participating.

     The 2001 event featured kids mainly from the Paynesville, West Point, Logan Town, New Kru Town, Sinkor, Gardnersville and Central Monrovia areas. Eventually, Gardnersville emerged as the triumphant side when she defeated Central Monrovia in the grand final played at the little but famous Walker Field, now known as World Cup field at the intersection of Lynch and Broad Streets. Teams were given cash prizes for participation, but the winning team walked away with the highest amount and a trophy as a way of motivating the scheme.

A     fter a successful debut, the LBDI\Wester Union has decided to continue the Under-13 tournament for the second year running, but unlike the maiden edition played at one venue, the 2002 version, that began on Friday, December 6, is being played at venues in Monrovia and Margibi County.