Liberia begins preparation for 2010 World Cup

Coaches Clarence Lee Chea, Patrick Julu, Austin Pajebo
and Gotolo Johnson


By: Joseph N.N. Swen and Suge W. Carlors

Lone Star, Liberia’s National Football team’s newly appointed coach, Frank Jericho Nagbe is embarking on a tour of countries to scout youthful and talented Liberian footballers in his bid to qualify the team for South Africa 2010 World Cup.

The Buduburam Refugee Settlement in far away Ghana is one of such places to be place on his priority list for spotting players.
Other neighboring countries he expects to visit for similar purpose within the West African Sub-region include Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, and Nigeria.

“I have high regards for some coaches and players here at Buduburam because during the nation’s crisis and in 2003, the national team was represented by coaches and players of Buduburam. when the original team was not available, they performed impressively”, he said.

According to the coach, his tour is to spot Liberian talents for various stages of the Lone Star, namely, the under 14, 17, 21, and for the senior national team.

He said while it is true that all positions on the pitch are needed within his program, strikers, defenders and goalkeepers will be given priority. Having done this, he said recommendation will be filed to his employers which he said emphatically will yield positive response because those in authority are prepared to support and not only finance sporting programs of the nation.

Coach Jericho added that the president Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, expressed her unflinching support and urged football technocrats to ensure that come the world cup 2010 in South Africa, Liberia’s National Anthem will be sung.

The coach for many years has offered his services as a soccer technician for the Lone Star, especially during the nation’s sixteen-year of civil unrest. He served as deputy coach from 1995-96, along with George Manneh Weah, as a coach player.

As part of his preparation, he has contacted George Weah, former FIFA’s Player of the year 1995, for his support to see the team succeed.

“You know Weah is a veteran player and coach. We worked together before and is pleased with my appointment and promised to give both technical and monetary assistance to the team,” Coach Jericho emphasized.

Not only did the head coach come to spot players, he expressed specific interest in the Settlement based coaches. He commended them for their resilience in developing football talents outside of the nation free of charge, despite the challenging situation they face in Ghana.

He added that some of them will be called upon to apply their acquired knowledge to the nation base upon recommendation and confirmation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Meanwhile, coaches Clarence Lee Chea, Patrick Julu, Austin Pajebo and Gotolo Johnson, would continue to spot players as well as serve as agents in Ghana. To enable the national coach observe the performance of the Buduburam soccer talents, a two day tournament was organized for four refugee-based teams between 4th to 5th, August, 2006.

Teams that participated were Geesayplay F.C., ROZA F.C., Buduburam F.C and Enforcers F.C . Geesayplay defeated ROZA,1-0; while Enforcer FC lost to Buduburam F.C, 2-1.

According to Coach Jericho, few Players during the tournament performed incredibly and seemed promising. From the camp of Geesayplay defender Junior Sayee, strikers Terry Zulu, Jnr, and James Gbee, including striker Matthew Deede of ROZA F.C. were outstanding.

Other players who performed splendidly included midfielders Aloysius Pennie and Veto Sawyer of Buduburam F.C. and goalkeeper Godfred William of Enforcer F.C.

Coach Austin Pajebo said these talents that have been short listed, would have to wait while the coach works out modality for their transfer to Liberia, where they would join thirty of their colleagues who are on camp undergoing screening.

A spotted player, Matthew Dede told The Vision “The fact that am spotted, has placed the challenge for me to practice harder than before.” Some sport enthusiasts commended the coach for such thoughtful decision. They however, recommended that his tour extends to all parts of the world, especially in Asia where Liberian talents are on the increase.