|
Prince Daye in Weah’s
Footsteps
By Bruce Wiah (Ghana)
Liberiansoccer Beat Reporter
August 11, 2002
For the next few years the huge burden that the Lone Star will carry will be
placed squarely on the shoulders of those Liberian players that benefited
from teaming up with George Weah, James Debbah and Joe Nagbe. With old hands
like Weah and Debbah gone from the national soccer scene, the mantle falls
to those that had the chance of flexing muscles with Weah and company.
The diminutive Rasta-haired Prince Daye who played his professional football
in France for FC Bastia since July 27, 1995, is one of such players that was
lucky to have played alongside many national soccer legends and in so doing,
inculcated in his style of play the lessons learnt from the likes of George
Weah. Daye has matured to the point where any coach would insist on having
him on his team.
Unfortunately, the last season didn’t produce the stunts for the fiery
tackler who has an enormous ability to spray tailor-made passes and score
goals.
Featuring for 358 minutes in only nine matches for his French club in the
2001/2002 French League and scoring one goal is something that Daye rebuffs.
And with the wretched performance of the Lone Star at the 2002 African
Nations Cup that caused him some setback after his return from Mali, Prince
Daye has declared that he isn’t taking anything lightly as the new season
sets off.
In his opening match as the Championnat de France went against Racing Club
Lens few days ago, the pocket-sized left-winger played only 13 minutes—not
long enough to stamp his glory. In any case, the league is still fresh and
Prince has vowed to prove his mettle and gain his rightful status.
“It’s very disappointing for my fans to see me being benched and scoring
infrequently, but with time on my side and age in my grasp, there are more
to giggle about. Sometimes good players lose their footing not only because
they might be fading out, but stress from playing more frequently which
invite injuries could be a factor”, he told Journalists recently.
In the midst of the current Lone Star configuration, Prince Daye, 24,
asserts that Liberian players need to be given the proper attention and
encouragement to play their hearts out, adding, “Liberians always expect
100% from us but forget to know that we need to be treated 100% to give our
best”.
All the same, Prince Daye, the man who many expect would step into King
George Weah’s giant footprints, has pledged his willingness to be part of
the Lone Star success story. |
|
