JABATEH, LAFFOR TO ARRIVE ON SUNDAY

b
      Sekou Jabateh                                          Anthony Laffor

 by Paywala Janyan

231886400217
pawalajanyan.fcfassell@gmail.com)

Ahead of Liberia’s first 2013 Nations Cup Qualifiers against Namibia on February 29, 2012, two (2) foreign based professionals called up for the encounter are expected to jet in Monrovia on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Reports coming in from Moscow states that Liberian-Russian based professional, Sekou Jabateh Oliseh (who performed splendidly against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League on Tuesday), have finally been given the green light by his club to honor the national team encounter with Namibia on next Wednesday in Monrovia.

In a communication with sports journalist, Paywala Janyan via mobile, the Liberian international stated that his club never wanted to release him due to a tough league fixture against Zenith St. Petersburg just three (3) days after the Liberia vs. Namibia match on March 3, 2012. As you may be aware, the Russian League went on break for almost a month due to bad weather conditions around the Country and the match will be the first after the winter break.

The master dribbler was first stopped  by his Russian employer due to the impossibility of him jetting to Russia the same day after the qualifier in Liberia to be fully fit for their match against Zenith. Jabateh stated that, "My club saw it impossible for me to get a flight the same day after the qualifier in Liberia and reach in time and preparedness for our league match. And again, if I leave on the first of March, I will be in Moscow on the second and will definitely be tired to play the next day for my club and the match is an important one. However, they saw reasons in allowing me to come after I appealed to them last night. I will arrive in Monrovia either on Sunday or Monday.” When asked whether he will make it in time for his club match, Sekou stated that “if all goes well, I hope to make it to help my club, but now, my Country comes first.”

In another development, the National team senior captain, Anthony Snoti Laffor is also expected to arrive on this Sunday, ahead of the February 29 clash. The skipper could not make it to Liberia today due to club engagement. Laffor, who just joined his new club, Mamalodi Sundowns, has been seen by the Brazilians as one of their key players after his last two game-performances, in which he performed beyond expectations.

For this reason, Sundows fans had called on their coach thru social media to start him in their match this Friday. In response to call by many Liberians for him to prove his worth as captain of the National team, the Liberian Skipper, in a chat with Paywala Janyan, stated that he is going to play for his country with all his heart come Wednesday and despite everything in the past, he urged every Liberians to support them to the fullest.

In other developments, players such as Grandpa Doe and Ben Teekloh will not formed part of the match. Grandpa turned down the request to honor the match while Ben Teekloh is out due to injury. We are still expecting Dioh Williams, Solo Grimes, Jimmy Dixon, Theo Weeks, Kieta and others called up for the Namibia match.

Liberia will be going against Namibia in her first Nations cup qualifier for South Africa 2013 on February 29, 2012 at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Central Monrovia at 4 O'clock prime meridian. In preparation for the 2013 campaign, the Liberian Football House has organized, since last January, a camping and training program for the national team, which according to FA officials was primarily organized to create cohesiveness in the squad and to prepare early for a better tomorrow.