Preparations For Gothia Cup Begins
By: Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
After years of absence, Liberia will be represented this year around
at the Gothia Cup soccer tournament in Sweden.
There are still fresh memories of the way Liberia appeared at the
tournament and subsequently went on to triumph thrice in the Under-13,
14 and 15 youth tournaments. The adventure brought to light the likes
of Dulee Johnson, Dio Williams and Zah Krangar, the trio that are now
plying their trades in foreign lands.
With the rest of the members of the team still playing actively in
Monrovia, some of whom are with clubs in the inaugural premier league,
preparations have already begun at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium for
the journey to Sweden.
Unlike the previous trips, when the young talents went to Sweden under
the name "Monrovia FC", it was disclosed by the Team Manager, Dickson
George, that the lads are going to Sweden with the nomenclature "Boys
19" obviously because the players have graduated from the lower stages
such that they will be permitted to participate in the Under-19
category.
Following an invitation from the Gothia Cup organizers, as stated by
Mr. George, the team will leave the country on June 27 ahead of the
tournament which runs from July 13 to 19.
Although a source said the organizers have agreed to cover the travel
expense of 18 players, Mr. George stated that the "Boys 19" management
will cover the trip to the Scandinavia with assistance from other
sponsors in Monrovia.
He mentioned that a total of 18 players and three officials will make
the trip to Europe where the young Liberians are expected to rub
shoulders with their counterparts from other parts of the planet.
Solomon Grimes (Mighty Barrolle), George Boe (IE), Toe Bryant (Mighty
Barrolle), Frank Nagbe (LMA Green Pepper), Ezekiel Doegbah
(Millennium), George Bayou (Mighty Barrolle), Solomon Wesseh (Mighty
Barrolle) and Nicodemus Jacobs (Mighty Barrolle) are among the members
of the old order that are said to be ready to the adventure to Sweden.
Meanwhile, the "Boys 19" engaged the Lone Star Under-23 team at the
ATS in a practice match with the latter clinching a 2-1 victory. The
Lone Star Under-23 squad is also making preparation its 2004 Olympic
Qualifier with the Black Meteors of Ghana, the first leg taking in
Monrovia.
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