Zah not the only Player in Indonesia

                     Zah Rahan Krangar of top club Persipura Jayapura

By Wleh Bedell
bedellblessing@yahoo.com
 +2316106293
 

Football in Indonesia has long being followed by Liberians in a very keen manner as much of the country’s players most of whom were household words on the local scene ply their trade there. Several Liberians from that country have since featured for the national team with the major focus been the last four qualifiers of the World and Nations’ cup in an eight year period. Indigenous Coaches Kadalla Kromah and Frank Jericho Nagbe and expatriate Coaches Antoine Hey, Bertalan Bickskei and Roberto Landi have all kept faith in various players from here playing there in Indonesia as the Lone Star unsuccessfully competed with their counterparts on the continent.

What can however be described as a very strange issue is the decision of current Lone Star handler Kaetu Smith to keep faith in just one Indonesian based player in the 27 year old Zah Rahan Krangar of top club Persipura Jayapura. With three games played thus far in the Smith era against Senegal’s Lion Teranga, Angola’s Palancas Negras and the Brave Warriors of Namibia, the little box of tricks have featured in all as he reunites with his former youth team (U-13, U-14 and U-15) Coach.

But while Zah may be enjoying life under Kaetu, it is worth noting that the former Racing Bamenda man is not the only player or best performer from a Liberian perspective featuring in the top flight of Indonesia. And, why Coach Smith might not know the others since he has being away in the United States for quite a protracted period and since he was not around when these lads were busy competing on the local scene, (though that should not be an excuse since he has a team of coaches as his lieutenants who know these guys quite well and in fact one expected Kaetu to firstly get a data base of the country’s players as soon as he took over.

But, to just concentrate on picking Zah seems he is more concerned with his old time youth players which would not augur well for the Lone Star. Such virtual biasness according to many needs to be expunged with players who are on top of their game as well be selected even if he Kaetu does not know them or have not worked with them before.) There are quite several of these guys who too are equally talented and must be given the chance to showcase their talent by them been invited to train with the team especially during this vacation period of Indonesian football where a plethora of them have either returned or are expected to return home on holidays.

Though a new Lone Star is not been formed, as Kaetu and co might at least have some portion of the squad intact, judging from the three competitive matches played already, these players from Indonesia however need to be given the opportunity to train with the team which could enable the technical team assess them and probably add some to the already existing squad.

These are just few of the players from the Indonesian league which is now the 45th best league in the world over the likes of Russia, Denmark, Israel, Ukraine, Poland, United States, etc. by evidence of the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) yearly ranking which is released in July of each year, and has been so since 1991 that can be given a chance to showcase their talent on the Lone Star.

Boikai Eddie Foday: The 26 year old towering player, who has been effective in Indonesia for more than four seasons, featured on the local scene for Karn United in the Third and Second Division and also was a key for Bopolu County in the 2004 National County meet. Having been given the chance to feature for country during the reign of German Coach Antoine Hey, Boikai has been surprisingly left out of the squad in recent years. The former Oilers man is quite an all-rounder, a utility player or a multi functional player who is very efficient as a center back, a central midfielder and a striker.

Regarded as “the Liberian Peter Crouch” for his towering height and lanky shape, “Tall Foday” who currently plays for Persiwa Wamena needs to be invited by Kaetu in proving his worth as all is not well for the Lone Star with some tactical adjustment needed to be made. His hardworking ability coupled with his tactical discipline could mean well for the senior national team.

Stephen Mennoh: Regarded as “the Liberian Michael Essien” for his industry, simple passing and tenacity, Mennoh can be an asset to the team. He is like one having a tank on his back where he burns a lot of energy with his lithe marking and fearless challenges coming to the fore. A scorer of two international goals, the first against Ethiopia on his debut during the Kadalla Kromah’s era and the other during the Frank Jericho Nagbe’s era against Cameroon this player can be an asset. Mennoh who had stints in Ghana before coming home to style for LISCR and LPRC Oilers last played for the Lone Star in the 1-2 loss to Mali in the 2012 AFCON qualifier which was during the era of the Hungarian tactician Bretalan Bickskei (deceased). Operating in the middle of the park, the 28 year old harder worker from Persiraja Banda Aceh is capable of pulling the strings, turning the screws, closing down opponents and teeing up playmates for goals as he operates in midfield where he is very useful as a balanced midfielder or a playmaker.

 

John Tarkpoh Sonkailey: Followers of the Liberian game will concord that one major problem with our players is their lack of the element of surprise or regularity in shooting on goal. But, while this may be a general problem, John cannot stand accused of such as he has the ability to fire long telling passes in switching from one end of the park and as well shoot from long range with much venom and precision. Setting a record of leading then local side Mighty Blue Angels to win the Knock-Out crown in 2003, (the first and only Second Division side to do so) Tarkpoh featured for the Rollers and the Oilers before moving to his current destination, Indonesia. Currently with Palita Jaya, he last featured for the Lone Star when coming on as a second half substitute against the Nzalanga Nacional of Equatorial Guinea in a 2008 qualifier which ended goalless at a flooded Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS). As an engine room operator the powerful midfielder can also help the Lone Star as he is capable of adding a new dimension to the team mainly in the middle of the park.

 

James Koko Lomell: Since making his debut for country against Guinea’s Sylli Nationale in a 2004 AFCON qualifier at the then Accra Sports Stadium, Koko has had several highs and lows in his international career. His best match was against the Indomitable Lions in a 2008 qualifier where Samuel Eto’o Fils hailed him for a virtuoso performance in the Lone Star’s 1-2 loss as he presented to him his jersey and boots, and midfielder Stephen Mbia who got the curtain raiser for the visitors been delighted with his performance. The former LPRC Oilers Trequartista creates a screen in front of the opponents’ defense on a day the 26 year old can be a handful as he is endowed with superb ball artistry, mesmerizing dribbles and has the eye for the whereabouts of his teammates. His Achilles heel many will agree is his inability to win balls regularly and as well show the gumption to last in a fray. Take nothing away from him however as the PS Deltra Putra Sidoarjo asset can help the Lone star in the area of creativity which the team desperately needs.
 

Edward Junior Wilson: Regarded as “the Liberian Adriano” for his strong left foot where he shoots with venom and precision, the 27 year old former Mighty Barrolle front runner can be effective as a sitting forward, but is nonetheless mobile and menacing. After making his debut for country against the Sparrow Hawks of Togo then under current Nigeria Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi in a joint 2006 World and Nations Cup qualifier, Junior has since played one match after that which was a 0-5 mauling of the Lone Star by the Chipolopolo. But, since moving overseas, he has never featured for the senior national team which raises eyebrows as h his game has developed greatly and even won a golden boot during one of the previous seasons in Indonesia. The quiet but brutal finisher who plies his trade with PS Semen Padang can even play as a lone front man where he uses his power and pace to much effect. Not the technical of strikers though, he is nonetheless very business minded, a team player and is always looking for the back of the net of the opponents.

Eric Weeks Lewis: Like Wilson, the ex-Roots FC wide man made his international debut against Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor’s Togo and has since gone in international oblivion as various national team coaches ignored his promising display in Indonesia. Weeks who and current Manchester City peripheral forward Alex Nimely styled for Cameroonian elite side Cotton Sport Garoua may not be the quickest of players, but has the flair and strong shots to trouble rearguards in his favorite lateral midfield role where he is ominous down the left channel.
During the Lone Star’s 0-3 loss to Togo in the qualifier in 2006, Keshi was reportedly impressed with his performance after the match and found it difficult to believe he was playing on the local scene then. Like Tarkpoh and Wilson, kicking on goal is a habit for the 26 year old sharpshooting Persiwa Wamena powerhouse.

 

Abel Quioh: “King Yellow” has never played for country and seems desperate to end his long wait as he is keen to get a shout from the current handler Kaetu Smith. Having had stints in Ghana with Roza and Liberia’s darling club Invincible Eleven, the light skinned 24 year old hit-man of Persidafon Dafonsoro has speed and finishing in his armory which has continuously made opposing defenders and goalkeepers to be troubled each time they go against him. With his speed, he breeze pass opponents and is also effective as a winger where he scampers down the channel. His style of football makes him the Liberian version of the Nigerian nimble footed forward Peter Osasi Obdenwinji.