Lone Star Dump Rwanda In Nation Cup Qualifier




The 2008 Nations Cup qualifier between the Lone Star of Liberia and Amavubi Stars of Rwanda on Sunday, October 8, 2006 ended with a 3 – 2 win over the visiting Amavubi Stars at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia.

In the first 45 minutes of the encounters, both teams created some scoring chances that were utilized by the host with the man of the match, Francis ‘Grandpa’ Doe opening the scoring sheet from a Solomon Grimes connection.

The Amavubi Stars Captain, Jimmy Gtete, came close to getting the equalizer in the first half, but could not do so until Central Referee Ero Samuel Oktund blew his whistle for the end of the first 45 minutes of football hostilities.

After recess, more scoring chances were created by Liberia’s foreign based, Oliver Makor, Zah Kranger and Anthony Laffor in the first fifteen minutes to increase the tally, but these chances were wasted.

In the 25th minute of the second 45 minutes of football battle, midfield maestro Oliver Makor’s 25-yard strike beat Rwanda goalkeeper, Ramazan, to get the second goal for the Liberians while the Amavubi Stars Olivire Karekan headed in the first goal for his side in the 71st minute of normal play at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) downtown Monrovia.

Lone Star increased the tally to three goals when Dioh Williams took a powerful strike in the 79th minute after he was connected with a tricky pass from Liberia’s midfield master Kelvin Sebwe.

Substitute Abedi of Amavubi made it 3 – 2 when he netted a power header in 82nd minute.

This victory puts Liberia in second place with 3 points and four goals behind Cameroon who now sits first with 6 points, six goals after they nailed Equatorial Guinea three goals to zero on last Saturday.

Speaking to this paper after the game, Central Defender Jimmy Dixon, said Lone Star conceded two goals due to the inexperience of the local players who he said were playing in defensive position.

Defender Dixon who plays his professional football in the European state of Sweden, said “It will take time for the local-based defenders to meet their (foreign-based) pattern of play.”

When this paper talked to Head Coach Frank Jerico Nagbe, he said his side got the three points at the end of the day, adding, “This is the result that we anticipated and we hope to improve as time goes by”.

The Lone Star players included goalkeeper Louis Crayton, Solomon Grimes, Gizzi Dorbor, Omega Roberts, Jimmy Dixon, Kelvin Sebwe, Oliver Makor, Francis ‘Grandpa’ Doe, Anthony Laffor, Zah Kranga, Dioh Williams and Eric Weeks.

The Amavubi Stars of Rwanda starting lineup included Ramazan, Oliver, Elas, Aloue, Patrick, Jeanut, Mamfred, Olivier Karekan, Henry, Bobo Bala who plays in Sweden for Rosinbough and the Captain Jimmy Gete.