Lone Star Breathes Victory In Thin Air
- Erratic Crayton Pleads For Forgiveness






October 9, 2006


Wleh Bedell


The senior National team of Liberia, the Lone Star, put up a below par performance against the visiting Amavubi Stars of Rwanda on Sunday, when they managed a scrappy 3-2 win at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in continuation of the on-going Ghana 2008 Nations Cup qualifiers.

Under the guidance of a tactically maladroit and arrogant Frank Jericho Nagbe, the red, white and blue outfit exhibited a disappointing performance in a match watched by over 20,000 vociferous crowd, including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and House Speaker Edwin Snowe.

But the most disappointing player on the park was shot-stopper Louis Crayton, who proved erratic as he let in two goals to the discontentment of many. The Swiss-based goalie is still unable to deal with crosses which are certainly his weakness.

After the 1-2 loss away to Equatorial Guinea, the team was stiffened by some old guards in the form of Kelvin Sebwe, Oliver Markor, both from Greece, as well as some promising players the country can boast of including Francis Doe of Greek club Attrimitos, as well as the Swedish-based duo of Jimmy Dixon and Dioh Williams who style for relegation bound Allsvenskan side B K Hacken.
                                     - Erratic Crayton Pleads For Forgiveness  

Upon the blast of the Nigerian referee Emiere Edeken Emmanuel's whistle, the host went on the front foot with their best performer of the day, Francis Doe, putting his lackluster form on international level behind him with a virtuoso performance.

In the first minute, he dribbled passed an opponent close to the byline but his effort was later thwarted.

A minute later, a nice exchange of passes between him and teammate Anthony Laffor of South African club Jomo Cosmos occurred but the opponents rescued the situation.

The Lone Star attacked in droves as they looked effective in their 4-4-2 formation in which locals Solomon Grimes and Gizzie Dorbor served as wing backs with another local Omega Roberts partnering with Jimmy Dixon in central defense.

The dreadlocked Maror operated in the holding position just in front the back four, while his long lime playmate Sebwe served as the roving playmaker behind the front runners of the adventurous Doe and the diminutive Indonesian-based striker Zah Krangar, thus giving the license to the towering Laffor and Williams to provide width.

They dominated the proceedings as the opponents under German tactician Michael Nees adopted a cautious approach with the captain Jimmy Gatete being isolated upfront in a 4-5-1 formation that saw the Swedish and Belgian-based duo of Oliver Kerakazi and Bobo Bolla served as decoys.

After seven minutes, Laffor body swerved his way in the attacking third, but his effort hit the side netting, then four minutes later Crayton made a good save as he parried a grounder from Kerakazi for a corner.

In the 17 minute, Dioh who looked ordinary in the match failed to put the Lone Star in front as his close range volley went off target. Francis Doe was then all over the place using his pace and skills to bewilder the opponents to the delight of the crowd.

Three minutes later Dioh squandered another chance as he failed to put the ball past an onrushing goalie Ramazan.

Then in the 23rd minute came the moment of truth when Francis Doe deservedly got the curtain raiser as he survived a melee to head home a Sebwe's cross from a set piece. Teammate Solomon Grimes was then booked for excessive celebration.

Three minutes thereafter, Zah who was not in the best of forms, was unlucky to increase the tally after his header as a result of a cleverly measured cross from Grimes, beat the goalie but only to be header over the cross bar by defense ace Patrick.

The next troubling moment came 12 minutes to the interval when Nenny failed to put his side level after failing to get in contact with a cross from Bolla.

Then in the 38th minute, Dioh's close range shot was disposition by the goalie for a corner which marked the final major moment in the first stanza.


But, it became evidently clear that the once incisive maestro Kelvin Sebwe is no longer the player he used to be. There was virtually no penetration from him and his notable influential role in matches was not visible.

The third Division club St. Kavala's midfielder was not pacy as well, a clear indication that the in form Dulee Johnson Swedish top flight second placers AIK Solna should have being preferred to the aging curl legged player.

Markor too did not show his usual class where his work rate and telling passes used to be a menace to opposing teams. At some point in the match he was anonymous, as well as virtually abandoned his defensive position.

Back from recess, the visitors look effected a substitution as they appeared positive, but the Lone Star continued from where they ended. An avalanche of misses however enabled the opponents to remain in the game.

In the 50th minute, Zah failed to put the ball beyond the reach of the goalie after the entire defense was accusing of ball watching. Three minutes later, Laffor failed to bury a corner.


Then after two minutes, Zah set up Makor who wasted the ball from close range. It was however a surprise that the likes of Zah, Dioh and Laffor were still being kept in the match after they looked ordinary and less threatening. Apparently, there was no trust for the reserves who were all locals.

In the 68th minute, a malicious tackle on Dioh resulted to a free kick that was executed by a not too impressive Markor as he rotated the score line to 2-0.

That was however poor anticipation from the goalie as the Lone Star got the two goals cushion.

Such joy was short-lived a minute later, though with Oliver Kerakazi scoring from a cross after Crayton could not stamp his authority between the sticks, as well as Jimmy and crew in defense failing to impede the scorer in the aerial battle.

From this point, it was an all Rwanda affair as they put the passes together and looked highly organized. The youngster, Omega Roberts, in just his second international match was given a baptism of fire as he was dribbled at will, while his partner who was much more experienced did not look match fit as he seemed to enter the match with a knock on the right leg, and could not win duels.

Francis Doe then ran out of steam as he ran all over the park in an attempt to get the ball. With no penetration, the former Tonnere Klara club pathfinder had to go deep in midfield to fight for the ball and then moved upfront with much pace and aggression.

Against the run of play, Dioh saved face with a goal from a volley after 76 minutes, thanks to a cleverly measured pass from Persikabpas Zah Krangar to an unmarked Dioh. The visitors then protested for an offside which did not seem true.

An attempt to reduce the tally paid dividends with substitutes Abedi scoring from a free header after a well taken corner that should have being saved by Crayton who put up a disjointed performance.

Laffor and Zah belatedly made way for Eric Weeks and Ben Martins, and Bolla squandered a late minute chance as the match ended. In truth, the visitors can count themselves unlucky for not getting a point.

They showed purpose collectively, while their opponents who can count themselves lucky for getting the maximum three points relied on individual play.

After the match, Louis Crayton went to a portion of the erratic crowd pleading for forgiveness after a dreadful performance.

"I am sorry" , noted the former St.Joseph Warriors safest hands.

Since the exit of Pewou Bestman, Liberia is still in search of a reliable goalkeeper. Observers say during the George Weah's era, Crayton was not really exposed as he played along side well drilled and effective players, but with those days of glory gone for the Lone Star, his erratic act is beginning to unfold.

Crosses and long range shots are his Achilles heel.

Pundits say Indonesian-based goalie cum striker Sunday Seah would have put up a strong test for the former Grass Hopper reserve, but the argument that he is operating as a striker other than a goalie is reason he is out of the squad.

They note "he was playing as a striker at Indian club FC Kochin when he stood between the sticks as Lone Star trashed Gambia 3-0 at the ATS in 2003 to enable the team qualify for the group stage of the 2004 Nations cup.

Also, he operated in such position when the team defeated a Fredddie Kanoute led Mali 1-0 at the SKD in the group stage of the qualifiers as well as helped the Lone Star hold Emmanuel Adebayor's Togo to a goal less draw at the SKD on July 4, 2005. Some People are just gifted they note". They continue "former Mexican goalie Jose Campos did same for club Nexaca and nation Mexico".

With the scrappy performance of the team several lessons have being learnt. Firstly, there is a need to look out for fresh blood or new breed of stars.

Secondly, players should be called based on what they can play or how effective they are order than where they play.

If the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon can invite the likes of Jacques Elonga Elonga and Bill Tchato of Iran and respectively, it shows that football speaks the same language round the world.

The Indonesian based players came to town, but were denied the opportunity to play for their country. The likes of Ezeah Benson, Joseph Amoah, Fallah Johnson, Steve Mennoh, Murphy Nagbe, Frank Seator, Perry Kollie, Rashidi Williams, Boikai Foday and many others are even capable of playing in European leagues, but they may not have the opportunity.

The Lone Star has a mountain to climb against Cameroon in March, and to avoid a serious disgrace a whole lot must be done by sporting authorities order than allowing Jericho to put personal interest above the team and forcibly promoting his son Frank Nagbe, Jr., denying great players like Dulee Johnson, Prince Daye and even Josiah Seton. With the Lone Star now being fondly called "Jericho and Son", there is a serious need to improve things.

Now that the so called best came to town without putting up any major outing, everyone including the technical crew must get back to the drawing board to make amends