By Omari Jackson

         The former Invincible Eleven and Lone Star's attacking midfielder, Aaron Pobleh, says he's counting his blessings in the search for soccer glory in the United States of America. Pobleh, who captained the national soccer team, Lone Star, in encounters against Egypt, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Chad and Guinea, said he is hoping to join compatriot Marcus Cephus at the Virginia Community University, where he may feature for the university team. In an interview on December 24 in Atlanta, Pobleh expressed concern about the fortunes of the national soccer team, Lone Star, and offered some advice for its forthcoming matches in the 2004 Nations Cup qualifier. Excerpts.
First I asked him for a comment on the national soccer team and the 2004 Nations Cup.

     Aaron Pobleh: Liberia has the potential like any other West African nation and recent performances of the team indicate that we are no push-over. However, you're aware that many of the teams in our zone: Ethiopia, Guinea, and Niger have been playing trial matches to better condition and prepare for their encounters. Sadly, Liberia is yet to play a single game and that's not good. Officials must understand that trial matches are important for a team's future preparedness.

    Question: Is this development rather strange? Does this indicate that the absence of super star George Weah and others has created the condition for what you have just said?

   Aaron Pobleh: No. It's not strange at all. In the past and here I'm  referring to the period prior to the resignation of George Weah and his friends, sports officials never found it necessary to engage the home-based Lone Star in preparatory matches. You should be aware that when I was actively involved in the Lone Star, we never had any opportunity to test our strength against any of our neighboring teams. In fact, during training it was even difficult for the home-based players to be motivated. Sometimes we would train on empty stomach with mere promises.

    Question: Will you say it was a deliberate attempt to demoralize the home-based team or the fact that the officials just didn't know the mechanics of team preparation in this day and age?

      Aaron Pobleh: It will absolutely  be unfair for anyone to suggest that sports officials in Liberia hardly know the pros and cons of team preparation. Our coaches are highly exposed and they would often be asked to prepare program packages for each of our games. Sad enough when these packages are submitted to the authorities, they see the amount involved in the training to be more than they had expected. As a result, recommendations from the technical staff are brushed aside and because we the players want to play for our nation, we just remain with the team.

     Question: So here, is it correct to say that the love of the game and the desire to wear the national colors become the motivating factor for a player's presence on the Lone Star?

     Aaron Pobleh: Exactly. I need not remind you that in our society in which opportunities are in very short supply, the chance of being called to the national soccer team, with it limited incentives, is highly competitive. There is certain element of prestige surrounding a player's invitation to the national team. You are told that if you cannot manage with the none-existent resources, then you are to leave. Therefore, though there has always been a limited incentive, we players have had strongest desire to be called to the national team. It's about time some changes are effected.

     Question: What changes do you have in mind, specifically?

     Aaron Pobleh: The first thing is the home-based players should be allowed to test their strength against our neighbors. The emphasis should not be placed on the money but must be on the long-term success. Promises must be kept and expenses that are made by professional players to honor national commitments must be honored promptly. It's very discouraging for a professional who make sacrifices to come for the Lone Star' games, to run behind officials for expenses that were agreed upon by the officials. And importantly, players who have been with the national team for many years must be treated with respect.

    Question: Will you say George Weah was frustrated by officials with such empty promises and could have been the reason he had to quit the national team?

     Aaron: Well, I cannot speak for Mr. Weah. In the Lone Star, he was the motivator and many of us looked up to him as a model player. It was unfortunate he had to leave the team. Here, I'm inclined to believe that some of these negative developments contributed to his resignation. I must admit his absence is a blow to the national team. And that is why it is important for authorities to pay attention to a feeder team to the national team. This is because players change all the time. Truly the absence of Mr. Weah was a blow, but it is by no means the end of the national team. We in Liberia have had stars before, and here I only need to name stars like Joseph Sion, Waka
Herron, Venetius Charley and Sam Sumo. They never had the opportunity to go professional like we have today, and yet they were the best in their period.

      Question: You went to France to seek a contract and many of your fans in Liberia may want to know how far you have gone. Will you care to make a comment?

     Aaron Pobleh: Yes, I was in France during the last season. I met the officials of Ice'rousse, a 3rd division where I played half of the season. However, the team's officials could not come up with the 10,000 euro that the French Football Federation had requested and therefore I had to return to the United States. I met Zico (Edward Dixon), and he recommended me to a couple of team officials. However, I had to rush back to the US, since my visa was expiring and I needed an extension.

     Question: Are you presently engaged in any discussion in the US?

     Aaron Pobleh: Yes, I will be entering the Virginia Community College where I've had a recommendation made on my behalf by Marcus Cephus and so Liberia will hear about me the next season. Let me also remind you that I'm pursuing my educational goals and therefore I'm working hard on my future. But I'm happy that I'm counting on my blessings.

     Question: I'm sure your fans and admirers may want to wish you a success…

      Aaron Pobleh: Yes. I must emphasize that our country has the potential and we only have to recommit ourselves to its future. Here I mean everyone, including players, officials and the ordinary fan. We must carry on what George Weah and other professionals have begun.