Road to Ghana 2008!

 Lethal Striker Dioh Williams Playing in Sweden Premiership



July 18, 2006


It seems all is now set for the nation's pride and joy, the Lone Star, to get on the bumpy road to Ghana 2008. A new technical staff is on board with the task of guiding 30 local players to begin preparation for the African football fiesta in two years' time. With such latest arrangement, one major question on the lips of many is what's in store for the foreign based players? After a disastrous outing in the 2006 campaign many will be itching to see what the red, white and blue outfit can offer this time round, as the Lone Star group opponents prepare fiercely in booking the only ticket on hand. Wleh Bedell leafs through the details.

Former Liberian international, Frank Jericho Nagbe, was appointed head coach of the Liberia National U-23/ senior national team.

The appointment, which was made by the Ministry of Youth and Sports during the week, also brought to the fore David Nimely and Matthew Kipi Doh as deputy coach and trainer respectively.

The trio got to work quickly as they released a list of 30 local players to begin preparation for the Lone Star opening match away in Equatorial Guinea on September 3, in the 2008 Nations' Cup qualifiers.

Names of Local Players:

Many have however criticized the selection, and have accused the technical staff of biasness. The CEO of First Division outfit, Karn United, is one of those who frowned on the players listing and indicated that the selection does not reflect the performance of players in the LFA National League.

Another individual who query the listing is Uriah Williams who calls himself analyst. He said many good performers in the on-going LFA league were left out, and has called on the Frank Jericho Nagbe technical staff to provide clarity on how the selection was done.

James Dweh a follower of the local game said such early eyebrow raising decision in selecting players could leave room for doubt of the merit system. There has also being public outcry against the inclusion of local based top scorer Isaac Tondo.

The LPRC-Oilers striker whose goals have gone dry for quite a protracted period of time is said to have the experience, and as such, will be needed.

But the question many are asking is experience or current form, which way?

When asked who where some of the players that were left out, the pundits named the likes of premiership joint second top scorer John Barnes of Black Star, Breweries' midfielder Boimah Golafalay, NPA-Anchors holding midfielder Melvin George, Zelors striker Amos Kollie, Oilers defender David Tweh, First Division top scorer Jones Togba of Alliance, Gedi & Sons striker Chris Dukuly, USA-Invaders midfielder Emmanuel Jackson as well as a host of other players who have been efficient at their various clubs.

The technical staff could not be contacted for reaction up to press time, but team has since begun training at the ATS with Coach Nagbe who is at the helm of premiership outfit Black Star and coaches Nimely and Doh of Watanga and LISCR, respectively, leading the pack.

The players who have been short-listed include Jackson Wreh, Saylee Swen, Melvin King, Jerry Bing, Solomon Grimes, Gizzie Dorbor, George Baysah, Wesley Tarbah, Benjamin Nyanfor and Sackie Doe.

Other are Solomon Wesseh, Shelton Barlee, Varmah Kpoto,Patrick Granue, Steven Nimely, Alfred Coleman, Alex Whitemore, Vetalise Sieh, Ben Martin and Junior Wilson.

The rest are Nuzohn Kulala, Lincoln Garteh, Prince Garwo, Eric Weeks, Robert Teah, Sengbe Kennedy, John Kollie, Frank Nagbe, James Zotiah and Jacob Toe.

Observers say the end of the virtual turmoil that existed within the MYS in the full front calling for the withdrawal of the Lone Star is something highly commendable.

It can be recalled Deputy Sports Minister Marbue Richards called for the team's withdrawal on grounds that the Lone Star does not have players to compete against Cameroon indomitable Lions and that most of the country's players were playing in the worst leagues in the world especially in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Many are however calling for the scrapping of the name "National U-23" since the competition the team is preparing for is on the senior level.

Chris Doe noted, "It is high time the ministry lives with the existing realities, forget about specific names, and concentrate on the team's preparation." But while the focus is on the local based preparation, connoisseurs are keen to know what's in store for the foreign based players.

"Will the government be willing to send for up to ten of them for a particular match?" they asked, insisting that from all indications these players might not be plying in the major leagues of Europe where the game is at the highest standard. Some of these players though have wealth of experiences that would be very useful to the Lone Star," noted Nyumah Thompson a diehard of the Lone Star.

Some of the country's Europe-based players include Kelvin Sebwe of Greek Third Division outfit FC Kavala, Oliver Makor of Greek First Division club Ionikos, Abu Kanneh of Austrian Second Division side FC Gratkorn, Lamin Ousman of Swedish First Division Ljungskile Sk and George Gebro of First Division side Enthoi in Cyprus.

Others are Dioh Williams and Jimmy Dickson of Swedish Premier Club B.K.Hacken, Dulee Johnson of Swedish premier club AIK Solna, Manu Dagher of Dutch Second Division side FC Dordrecht, Sehten Hills of Swedish Second Division side Floda Boif, Natus Ponnie of Swedish Division two outfit Lundby IF, Arthur Blake of Swedish Second Division side Torsland and Louis Crayton of Swiss First Division side FC Basel.

Meanwhile, as the Lone Star begins preparation against its group opponents, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda are miles ahead.

The Lone Star's first opponent, Equatorial Guinea, will parade their Liberian-born rugged center back Lawrence Sokota Doe of champions club Renascimento.

The player who is nicknamed "Puyol" is said to be itching to play against his native land.

Sokota who played for the likes of Devereux, LTC-satellite, and St. Anthony, amongst others, had a stint with Invincible Eleven before leaving the country in 2001 after signing with premier club LISCR.

He landed at the land-locked nation of Mali where he featured for top club Stade De Malian.

It was in the African Champions League that he caught the eyes of his adopted country's Brazilian coach Antonio Dumas who persuaded him to continue his career in that part of the world after which he was persuaded to naturalize.

Sokota is expected to join the club for their third European tour in Spain in ten days. The country is rated as the most improved team according to FIFA's latest ranking and is said to be plotting for the Lone Star on September 3.

The Bees of Rwanda are planning series of friendlies with the Cranes of Uganda being their next formidable opponent on August 7.

The Indomitable Lions under ex-Portuguese international, Arthur Jorge, has vowed to stick with his first team players for the tournaments and have warned top European clubs not to persuade players in staying away from their matches in the name of injury or fatigue.

So, it will be a tall order and the Lone Star must take heed.