In Greek League:
Oliver "Machine Man" Makor Shines
- Nets in 2 Goals for Club
January 7, 2002
Siebo D. Williams
Monrovia
Liberian international midfielder Oliver "Machine Man" Makor
is still shining in the Greek first division league, where he plies
his professional football trade.
Over the weekend, Oliver Makor scored two goals for his club
against Iraklis, the former club of Liberia's celebrated soccer star
James Salinsa Debbah and Kelvin Sebwe. Sebwe also played for Skoda
Xanthi and AEK Athens.
A BBC Fast Track report monitored by this paper said
Makor was outstanding for his club, evidenced by the two goals he
scored despite playing a midfield role.
Makor who had earlier played for Greek club Prodeftiki two
seasons ago is said to be in fine form. The Liberian midfield genius
who is one of the only two Liberians who still plays in the Greek
league. George Gebro is the other Liberian who still plays in Greece.
Initially there were about eight players who were
playing in the Greek league. They were James Debbah, Joe Nagbe, Kelvin
Sebwe, Oliver Makor, Varmah Kpoto, George Gebro and Zizi Roberts.
The six others left the Greek league after some of their
contracts expired, while one had his contract canceled out.
Oliver Makor left the shores of Liberia at the
inception of the Liberian civil war. He played in Nigeria and Cameroon
respectively before going to Europe.
His first stop in Europe was France based on an invitation from
first division side Bordeaux. He could not sign on for Bordeaux after
he pulled his muscles in training.
Second division side Grenoble came rushing for him, where he played
for some years. He later played for FC Tours.
Makor made his debut for the national team against The Gambia in
the Banjul. Two weeks later in Accra, he scored an incredible 40 yards
goal for the Lone Star when she massacred The Gambia, 4-0.
Oliver went on to put up a fine performance in Lone
Star's 0-0 draw in Kinshasa, the former Zaire (now Congo DR) in an
African Cup of Nations qualifier.
In the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, Oliver said he was
overlooked by the coaches in the match against Tunisia. His absence
led to Liberia going down 1-0 in Accra. He then vowed not to play for
the team until his talent was recognized and appreciated.
After a long absence from the national team, Oliver Makor
made his come back against Uganda in Monrovia. He played a key role in
the Lone Star's 2-0 victory. Since that time Makor has never looked
back.
He was a key member that qualified the team for the Mali 2002
Nations Cup finals, and narrowly missing out on the World Cup finals.
Makor did not come to play for the Lone Star in her first two
matches in the 2004 Nations Cup finals because according to him he was
not contacted. There was also a report that financial conditions were
not spelled out enough to attract him to come.
Meanwhile, football fans have expressed optimism that
Makor will be invited for Lone Star game against Ethiopia in Addis
Ababa in March. "Makor is an asset in midfield. He along with Kelvin
Sebwe, Dulee Johnson and Larmin Ousmane are needed for the match," a
fan said upon hearing about fine form in Greece.
|
|
