Liberia vs Malawi Player Ratings

Lone Star's Ansu Toure outwits a Malawian defender in warm up match Tuesday in Monrovia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
 

By Wleh Bedell
bedellblessing@yahoo.com
+2316106293

It was just a friendly though with both Liberia and Malawi playing with contrasting styles. The former was on the front foot, a mentality they must go with for the mammoth tie against a glory seeking Nigeria Super Eagles on this Saturday at the SKD, while the latter will certainly adapt a negative style against a dip in form Ghana Black Star also on Saturday in the land of the former Gold Coast.

This was the second visit by the Malawians with the first been a competitive fixture in 1988, an Italy ’90 World Cup qualifier, after a ricocheted chest pass from James Salinsa Debbah was slotted home by George Weah as the Lone Star cruised with a solitary goal win during the days of Lawrence Waya, Young Chimodzi, Backarie Machonga and PeterKing Kayera who all returned home empty handed.

But, just how did the players of the Lone Star on Tuesday fare in their hard earned slender victory and their respective chances of starting on this Saturday against a keen=to make-amends- Super Eagles of Nigeria is what is being unfolded.

Nathaniel Sherman: Not much was seen of the Roots FC shot stopper as he was rarely tested judging from the opponents’ defensive game with the emphasis on possession in winding down the clock. He made a howler of a cross however, but his distributions were promising. It is no doubt he will get a start against the Super Eagles.
Rating: 5.0
 

Solomon Grimes: The pin-sized full back from the Cypriot top flight was not effective as his usual overlapping runs and cleverly measured crosses were not visible. He often clattered into opponents, and was quite a complete contrast of his form in the previous friendly with Equatorial Guinea’s National Thunder where he won the highest mark due to his aggression in rampaging forward with elegance. Solo will start against the once delirious Super Eagles, but must raise his game.
Rating: 5.5

George Gebro: Invincible Eleven (IE) most experienced player worked very hard in keeping rein on the opponents and provided several diagonal balls in the final third mainly in the second stanza. He showed desire, commitment and won most of the 50-50 balls, except that he was not moving forward regularly in providing the crosses. But, at 30, not much was expected of the ex-Israeli club Hapoel Pitah Tikva all-rounder with respect to plying the flanks. Of course the Captain will lead the lines against Nigeria.
Rating: 7.0

Solomon Wesseh: ‘Jean Peirre’ was quite outstanding for country just as he is for club LPRC Oilers. He was very committed and was very solid at the rear. The versatile defender almost scored late on in the match as he ventured forward to force the opposing goalkeeper into a crucial save. Sadly, he will not get a start on Saturday as he will be over looked for one of the oversea based center backs of Omega Roberts Alamadine and Patrick Gerhardt, one of whom will combine with Jimmy Dixon in central defense. Why in fact were three center backs from over sea sent for when Wesseh and Dennis who you will read of later are capable of playing such role?
Rating: 7.5

Teah Dennis, Jr.: ‘Teddy Baysah’ capped another outstanding performance. Though the Malawians were not very lethal during attack, the few times they went forward were thwarted by the Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) man and co. His game maturity showed a lot and controlled his side build up from the back. He also won most of the first time balls and was quite a defensive menace for the former East and Central African champions. He like Wesseh will be over looked as he will start from the bench on Saturday.
Rating: 7.5

Theo Lewis Weeks: Though he featured for just 45 minutes and had to be taken off due to injury, the Turkish based holding midfielder stamped his authority on the fray in the early stages as he won tackles, tee up teammates and showed good work ethic. He will surely start on Saturday in front the back reminiscent of a deep lying playmaker where he will be required to orchestrate things.
Rating: 7.0

Isaac Zola Pupo: The LPRC Oilers ball conjurer put up an inspiring performance as his silky left foot pierced in the midfield of the Malawians. He made several ambitious try and took care of most of the set pieces which went in an in swinging fashion. It was his defense splitting pass that tee up the eventual scorer Zah for the much needed goal. However, his Achilles heel or apparent undoing was that he failed to make the darting runs behind his side front runners, behind the opposing defense. Zola lacked the enterprising or bursting runs from midfield as he for a very large portion of the game sat deep and supplied teammates. It will be no surprise that he will not be preferred to any of the two harder workers in Theo Weeks Lewis and Alseny Keita as brute or aggression will be preferred to flair. But, without him, the team will struggle for penetration on Saturday.
Rating: 8.0.

James Koko Lomell: A complete passenger on the park even more than he was in the previous friendly in Malabo against 2012 Afcon quarter finalists Equatorial Guinea. The Indonesian based incisive midfielder squandered possession quite often. His recovery runs were very poor, and to make matter worse, his warehouse full of skills let him down as he was a mere shadow of himself. It was quite astonishing that he had to spend more than 30 minutes in the game and his late first half substitution which was quite belated meant the taking off of a player who was surplus to requirement. It will be of no surprise were him to warm the bench for the entire 90 minutes against a very organized Nigerian side.
Rating: 4.0

Ansu Toure: Marking his return to the national team after a couple of games absence the Danish based wide man showed some promise as he played with precision and desire. He made a lot of strong runs and his recovery runs were also timely. Despite in the autumn of his career the left footed player was very lively and showed aggression. He also made several attempts towards goal as he was never shy of kicking. On several occasions he scampered down the left channel and provided crosses. He will start on the bench simply because for the wide area, two players in Zah Krangar and Sekou Oliseh are high in the pecking order, and the player could come on later against the Super Eagles.
Rating: 7.5
 

Zah Rahan Krangar: If you like you can say’ Zah 1, Malawi 0’. The little box of tricks was the man of the match, not just because of the goal, but, because of his overall contribution. He used his skills to the service of his team, glided pass opponents, and showed good work ethic and determination. His subtle moves, mesmerizing skills, prodigious ball artistry and composure proved a handful for the Malawians.
Rating: 8.5

Edward Junior Wilson: Operating as the face of his side attack as the first striker, the former Mighty Barrolle man who now plies his trade in Indonesia lacked mobility as he was easily marked. His game lacked variation and was very much predictable especially during the first period. “The Liberian Adriano” tried as he lifted his game after recess but was still unconvincing, and though he made some runs and few less threatening attempts on goal, by his standards, he was sterile. He mostly waited for something happen order than made something happen.
Junior will surely get a start against Nigeria despite his unconvincing outing mainly due to a lack of many options in the final third.
Rating: 6.0
 

Substitutes
James Soto Roberts: Just like the match away to Malabo, the Oilers winger proved to be a super sub. He ignited the game and went closer to scoring. The former Bassa Defenders winger showed belief, hunger and character and was very lively as he terrorized the opponents’ defense with his vast speed and lovely skills. His coming on certainly kept Lomell in distant memory and will definitely get a shout in the second half against Stephen Keshi;s side.
Rating: 8.0
 

Martin Kendue: Coming on for an injured Theo Weeks Lewis, the LISCR shield provider further stabilized the engine room as his short crisp passing; neat build up play and ball wining instinct gave his side the license to get a foot hole in the tussle. The lad will also start on the bench against Nigeria, though he can equally perform like any of the players operating in front the back four.

Rating: 7.0
Eddie Boikai Foday: The introduction of the former Karn United man added a new dimension to the team’s attack as he was there to compete and in fact won most of the aerial battles. One major regret he should have is that he failed to bury an effort when he had only the goalkeeper to beat. However, he added spice to his side attack and played with much verve, anticipation and momentum. The Persiwa Wamena man will no doubt start from the bench as the Malaysian based Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh will be chosen ahead of him.
Rating: 6.5
 

Michael Mauauley: ‘Master’ served as the extra man in midfield and was a worthy addition to the team. His superb ball skills, good tactical awareness and whole hearted approach made the Lone Star to play for once at a high octane pace. The Breweries loanee will however start from the bench against Joseph Michael Yobo and co.
Rating: 7.5
 

Trokon Zeon: Coming on for an injured but unattractive Solomon Grimes, the LISCR full back was not made full use of. With a fresh pair of legs he could have caused problems for the visitors, but was often not released. He will surely start from the bench on Saturday.
Rating: 5.0
 

Savannah Morris: It was little too late for the Monrovia Breweries man as the party was almost over when he entered.
Rating: 4.0