Lone Star Players Rating Against Eq. Guinea

Isaac Pupo: The rejuvenated LPRC Oilers orchestrator showed glimpses of his incisive style football

By Wleh Bedell
bedellblessing@yahoo.com
+2316106293

The fourth match by the Kaetu Smith led Lone Star though a friendly has ended 0-1 as the team with a rather far from convincing Nzalang Nacional holding onto to a howler made by the reliable gloves man Nathaniel Sherman on August 15, which was a FIFA approved friendly date. The Lone Star kept possession quite well but lacked the cutting edge, ruthlessness and aggression in the fray which was major reason they could not get the better of the Central African opponents. With the Flames of Malawi expected to play against the Lone Star before the herculean task with the once feared Super Eagles of Nigeria, the Lone Star faithful up till remain scathed as to how they lost to the 2012 African Nations Cup co-hosts after some promising display. But, how did the players fare is what is leafed through.

Nathaniel Sherman: Even the opponents were surprised that the Lone Star net minder made what could be described as a horrendous mistake to allow his goal to be breached. With the match been played on a national holiday in Equatorial Guinea, the locals felt they were given a deserved presence as an unguarded net was rattled. IN the entire match the Roots FC gloves man had little or nothing to do as his men pr0bed and probed in the hunt for an equalizer.
Rating: 5.5

Solomon Grimes: The lively wing back and not full back as they are quite different, was lively in going forward and accurate under pressure. His skills, tenacity, sumptuous first touch and desire to win almost every tackle made him the man of the match. The man from Cypriot club Nea Salima was quite a handful for the opposition.
Rating: 9.0

George Gebro: Wearing the captain armband for the third time since replacing Laffor, the Invincible Eleven (IE) senior player was also on top of his game as he threw in the tackles, made overlapping runs and played to the service of his side.
Rating: 8.0

Solomon Wesseh: Playing as one of the center halves the LPRC Oilers defense ace was very much efficient as he showed the willingness, fighting spirit and hunger to fiercely keep opposing strikers at bay. He also went forward in attacking set pieces and was quite a plus to the backline of the 1996 AFCON debutants.
Rating: 7.5

Teah Dennis, Jr,: The towering and versatile rearguard put up a fantastic performance as he combined effectively with his central defensive partner. The gritty nature in tackling, intelligence in controlling the team’s build up from the back was a delight to watch.
Rating: 8.0

Zah Krangar: It was quite amazing that the Persipura danger man was at his usual best in terms of gluing the ball to his boot, making subtle moves; body swerving his way pass opponents and willingness to join teammates in getting behind the ball when on the back foot. One key observation however was that the little box of tricks needed to be quicker in propelling the team’s attack from deep. The deep lying playmaker was no doubt a great help to the team despite the loss.
Rating: 8.5


 Mostly playing deep where he used his brain to allow his boot get in contact with the distinctive green ball to release and tee up teammates, the former Monrovia Breweries man had a wonderful game. He astonishingly won some duels as he closed down opponents, and when he was substituted late on, it was not due to him spoiling or having no significant but mainly due to a tactical switch from the gaffer.
Rating: 7.5

James Koko Lomell: Operating down the right channel the Deltras asset could not just make a huge impact into the game. Restricted like the rest of the team in playing simple passing game seemed to make him look ordinary in most parts of the contest and he rarely managed some promising display. His movement and decision making especially when reverting to defense looked unconvincing. Also, there were times he seemed isolated in such wide area which did not do well for his side as his fabulous skills were not maximized.
Rating: 6.0

Eric Weeks: On the day, the Pesiwa Wamena sharp shooter could not just light up the contest. He was not quite as his imperious best and his shots were in exigent. To make matter worse he had a knock with the beautiful game just failing to smile on the ex-Roots and Mighty Barrolle starlet.
Rating: 5.0

Sekou Jabateh Oliseh: Playing as the second striker the man from Moscow created several chances, and though he squandered one real one, the opposing goalkeeper was a key reason his name was not registered on the giant sized score board of the Estadio De Malabo. He however stands accuse of trying to over finesse at times, but he nonetheless helped his team ask several questions.
Rating: 8.0

Boikai Foday: The Persiwa Wamena finisher added a new dimension to the team’s attack. He won a lot of the aerial battles and his link up play was quite helpful to his side. But, he lacked strong runs and was mostly second best in tussles. He toiled, probed and dropped deep at times, but he will need to be more imposing in the final third.
Rating: 7.5

James Soto Roberts: Coming for Eric Weeks, the LPRC Oilers winger ignited the game and posed problems for the opponents with his lovely crosses. He could have scored but the wrong application of technique might have robbed him.
Rating: 8.0

Sekou Manubah: Though the Oilers midfielder who came on for Lomell conceded possession early, he managed to compose himself and linked up playmates. His deft touches were good for his side and he showed willingness to run and revert to defense in serving as cover for teammates.
Rating: 6.5

Abel Quioh: It was later too late when the Persisan net buster joined the fray. He could not inject any sort of magic in the last five minutes he was stunningly introduced. Made some runs though, but his coming on was a bit late.
Rating: 5.0