Weah Wants Back
…But LFA Seeks Clarification

By M.V. Paasewe
September 17, 2002

     In the wake of recent statement that he’s willing to enlist his service to Mama Liberia following Lone Star’s September 8 defeat in the 2004 African Nations Cup qualifiers against Guinea, authorities at the Liberia Football Association say they are more perplexed by the vagueness of George Weah’s BBC pronouncement.

     The Lone Star former technical director was quoted Monday by BBC Online saying he is willing to return and assist the national team provided he is asked.

      LFA chief scribe, Yanqueh Borsay, speaking to this website today said the FA has no problem with Weah offering his services to his country, “but he must be clear in terms of the kind of support”.

     Borsay said there are many ways in which Weah could help the team if he wants to. “Financially and technically, Weah could help Lone Star,” Borsay maintained, noting, “but he has to state what type of help he intends to offer the team.

     Commenting further, Mr. Borsay said George Weah is welcome home any time. “President Taylor has always reiterated that Weah is welcome home; his assistance toward the team would be highly appreciated,” Borsay added.

     Quizzed whether the FA would accept Weah back as technical director if he so requests, the LFA secretary general said the Lone Star technical director slot had since been cancelled following Weah’s resignation as Technical Director early this year.

Reactions

Liberians have been expressing their views about a Weah comeback.

“This is his home, and I think Weah deserves, like other retired African football stars, to come back and contribute in whatever he can to the development of his country,” says Janette Freeman, a resident of Broad Street.

“No one drove Weah away, I think he’s a victim of his own outbursts,” maintains Josephus Kollie of Carey Street.

“What really does Weah want? How many times will he keep resigning and returning to the team? He must be taking Liberians for joke!” says Joe Avery of central Monrovia.

Others are concerned whether Weah will now feel comfortable working with the present configuration of technicians and staff at the LFA given his recent statement that he might reconsider returning and assisting only if changes are effected in the LFA staff.

Weah’s latest comeback attempt follows harsh words from former teammate Chris Wreh who accused his former technical director of fielding players on the national team because of personal connections and not merit.

Football analysts have however expressed cautious optimism about a Weah comeback. Many are of the view that while it’s true that the national team is in dire need of financial assistance, such help should not be hinged on direct interference that would negatively impact on the affairs of the national team.