Kaitu Smith And The Lone Star Question


By Omari Jackson

It is a fact that every occupation has its qualifications. Hence in the sports world, anyone who claims to be a coach is examined and accorded with the appointment he deserves.

Therefore, it is just natural and healthy for observers to question the Liberia Football Association on the criteria it used to “select” Mr. Joseph Kaitu Smith as its candidate to handle the national soccer team, Lone Star.

Available records indicate (see below) that Mr. Smith has had a fruitful adventure in amassing credentials that could convince anyone that he has been serious in acquiring the wherewithal of a coach. That he has had certificates and licenses from both FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation, among others, may be enough to consider him for the job. But then the question is, while documents are part of the process, what are the evidences of his successes?

This is because documents alone are not enough that he is capable for the job, of handling a national team.

Again examination of Mr. Smith’s credentials shows he coached three first division soccer clubs in Liberia, to wit Baccus Marines, Fulani FC and LPRC-Oilers, and also one team in Nigeria, which is Obanta United Football Club.

When he sojourned in the United States, records indicate that he served as the director of a female team for the National Fusion Soccer Club, which handles close to 2,000 young boys and girls, according to Technical Director, Moses Ochiche, in a telephone conversation for this article from his base in Texas, USA.

He said, “Though Mr. Smith’s title on our website says he is director for the girls, he also handled the boys, and therefore it was not that he handled only the girls’ team.”

In another telephone conversation, Coach Tenesio Tarpeh also in the United States, said, “I trust in the ability of Coach Smith to handle any assignment, be it a national team or otherwise.”

Mr. Tenesio, one of Liberia’s ambitious coaches, said, “Liberia should give Coach Smith a chance to prove what he can do for the country.”

Photo-journalist Mozart Dennis of Minnesota, USA, said, when he was asked about Coach Smith’s ability to coach the national soccer team of Liberia, “He is a no-nonsense coach. No one can push him around, and he has discipline as his yardstick. Liberians must give him a chance.”

Clearly, reports indicate that Coach Smith’s presence with Baccus Marines and Fulani Football Club did not bring the best out of him. He did not, or could not lead the teams to attain the soccer glories that are normally associated with soccer achievements, but Coach Tenesio said lack of successes with those clubs should not be the determined factor to what he can do right now.

Though he made a significant achievement with LPRC-Oilers soccer team should add up to his willingness, as a Liberian to leave the comfort of the United States to help his country, Mozart Dennis said.

At the time of writing, this writer was making efforts to interview Coach Smith, and he is therefore encouraged to call 678-934-1232, hoping that we could get him to address questions raised about his capability to handle the national team, Lone Star.

Joseph Kaitu Smith’s Credentials
• USSF "A" License
• Liberia FA "A" License (1989)
• FIFA Coaching Certificates
• CAF Coaching Certificates
• NSCAA Regional Goalkeeping Diploma
• NSCAA State Goalkeeping Diploma
• I.O.C. Itinerant Administration School Certificates
• A.S.E.P. Director of Youth Sports Program Certificate
• Liberia Coach of the Year 1997
• Former Liberia FA Coaching Instructor
• Former Liberia National U17 & U20 Coach Teams
• Former Coach LPRC-Oilers FC Liberia
• Former Coach Baccus Marines FC Liberia
• Former Coach Obanta United. FC Nigeria
• Former Coach Fulani FC Liberia
• Former Coach NPA-Anchors FC Liberia
• Former Coach Great Bame FC Liberia
• Playing Experience (1970 - 1984) in: Nigeria, Sierra-Leone, Liberia