LFA Must Recall 'Grand Pa'

With the Lone Star of Liberia rivalry with nemesis Nigeria Super Eagles restored by evidence of both sides being paired against each other in the final round of the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup finals, the red, white and blue outfit might be without its talisman finisher FRANCIS FORKEY DOE who along with two others (Dioh Williams and Anthony Laffor) were 'expelled' by the Liberia Football Association (LFA) for 'breaking camp' prior to the second leg clash with Namibia's Brave Warriors in the Afcon qualifier previous round. Why the debate continues as to whether the players should be pardoned for the epic two-legged clash with the Super Eagles (September 9, at home and October 13, away) who they first met in 1984, prolific writer Ralph Geeplay is keen on the bubbling hit-man Francis Doe to be recalled for the Nigerian classic as he leafs through the player's path to stardom, his prowess and achievement in presenting a case that could make connoisseurs have a rethink relative to Doe's fate on the Lone Star that is 180 minutes to its third nations cup finals.

LFA Must Recall 'Grand Pa'

By Ralph Geeplay

The President of the Liberian FA must recall Francis Forkey Doe to the Lone Star now, as Liberia prepares to play the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Doe is probably Liberia best kept secret since the dribbling legend George Weah left professional football for politics, following an impressive spell of certified career in Africa and Europe. What have kept the lid on Doe’s career are perhaps disciplinary issues, but no one doubts his talents. He remains without hesitation Liberia’s finest scorers amongst today’s generation of Liberian players seeking to make a name, since Oppong Weah left the scene about a decade ago.


Doe connects with DC United fans


The 26 year old Doe began his promising career with Cameroonian Premiere Division in 2002, featuring for Tonnerre Klara club de Yaoundé. It is also there that his countryman George Weah started impressively before going on to the French Ligue 1 with AS Monaco.

It seems Liberian finest players always played in Cameroon before going on to greener pastures in Europe. James Debbah, Liberia's “celebrated player” also laced his boots there with Union Douala, so too was Joe Nagbe. Liberian striker Alex Nimley also played in Cameroon for Coton de Garoua. He currently plays in the English league for CoventryCity, on loan from Manchester City, having also been loaned to Middlesbrough in 2011.

In Cameroon, Doe flashes of brilliance were revealed when he was voted best foreign player and third overall, becoming the second Liberian after Weah to win the coveted title.

To show he meant business and was serious about his playing career, the budding Liberian star helped Tonnerre Yaoundé to the CAF Cup final, netting six goals in eight CAF Cup matches.

Overall, the lethal right footed Liberian striker ended the 2002 season with the club netting twelve goals in seventeen appearances.

In Cameroon he played when, the German coach Winfred Schaffer was the manager of the Indomitable Lions. Schaffer heaped praises on Doe as a gifted striker, but Doe and the club parted ways as the season ended.

In 2003, the bubbling Liberian finisher played briefly in Ghana where he was discovered before signing with the Minnesota Thunder in 2004.

Forkey Doe used his contract clause and opted out of the Thunder when he began receiving interest from Europe, and South America, but instead he signed a two-year deal with Greek club Atromitos. While in Greece he scored six times in twenty league matches.

When his playing days in Greece were done he packed his bags and headed out. Doe has always been in search of opportunity and that was why in March 2007 the Liberian net buster went on trials with the Major League Soccer (MLS) Red Bulls of New York, eventually securing a contract with the club.

Playing for the former American team coach Bruce Arena exposed Doe to a high quality manager who had been to the world cup and had had success. Arena gave Forkey Doe his second start for the Red Bulls, in 2007, and he impressed. During that game he scored his first MLS goal and recorded an assist in a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution.

Doe, subsequently in 8 league matches including four starting assignments with the Bulls Scored two goals and contributed one assist helping the club qualify for the MLS playoffs.

He would later be waived by the team on February 21, 2008. As he left the Bulls, DC United Immediately snatched up the Liberian. Doe also proved his worth with United especially in a 2-1 crucial win over the New England Revolution on October 16, 2008, according to Liberiansoccer. com

However by signing Avery John, Doe was out of favor with the club, but greener pastures awaited him elsewhere, and he took advantage of his chances.

Disappointed enormously, according to his friends and those who know him considering, he did well for DC and bearing in mind that there are huge Liberian football fans on the east coast of the United States. Especially Delaware, Philadelphia, Maryland, New Jersey and Rhode Island who were following his career, Doe put behind his regrets and moved on.

But calling soon came knocking on his doors from the Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Doe stay there was also successful; he scored four goals in two seasons, but when you considered that Ahly is the best African club on the continent, you sense an insight of appreciation for what he did, says an analyst.

Egypt has done well in African football, but more so, Al Ahly was voted the African club of the century just as Real Madrid was nominated in Europe. Francis has play exceptionally well also for his country Liberia, scoring important goals, and showing again and again why he is a first striker on the team.

Coach Kaetu Smith immediately upon being appointed, made Doe the center piece of his team before his recent expulsion. Although, under Anthony Hey, the Lone Star German coach, he saw less action, so it was too under the Hungarian tactician Bertalan Bicskei.

Frustrated that the hired Liberian foreign coaches were overlooking him and what he termed as the lack of organization and respect, he said he was retiring from international soccer.

His First match for the senior national team of Liberia came against the Red Devils of Congo Brazzaville where the Lone Star then under the indigenous coach Kadalla Kromah was pounded by their host 3-0, but The Liberian clinical finisher wasn't done. He scored two goals during Liberia’s 2008 Afcon qualifying campaign, opening the scoring in a 3-2 victory over the Amavubis of Rwanda on October 8, 2006.