By: Wleh Bedell- Veteran Liberian Journalist
The problem with the Lone Star is enormous. It’s not just the players who are often maligned, but a holistic problem. We must be realistic and look at all areas. Our game is down, no doubt and since 2002, the Lone Star have failed to qualify for the biennial competition; Afcon, which speaks volumes.
The rest of the 15 countries in West Africa have since competed in the competition. We keep rebuilding with the term “building or rebuilding”, which has now become a cliche.
Since the end of the “George Weah XI” era which is certainly the G.O.A.T Lone Star, every thing since the end of the most intriguing chapter in Liberian football has been topsy turvy, one of misery, disappointment and underachievement. We must go back to the drawing board to recalibrate as the current state of the team remains awful.
The need to place more emphasis on grassroots football and even making our league more competitive coupled with adequate funding and a well structured football program are just few of the many things that must be tackled.
Since January 28, 2002 when the Super Eagles of Nigeria pinned the Lone Star 1-0, courtesy of a Julius Agahowa’s goal on match round three at the Mali 2002 Afcon, a new era began with the Lone Star on October 8, 2002, the first match for the Lone Star against Guinea in an Afcon 2004 qualifier, a 3-0 away loss.
With a long list of players since then, it has always been “building a new team” in the fore, and it is 23 years and counting, arguably the longest spell of any generation of players from a Liberian football perspective.
If we go back to history, one can say the Weah led generation began on July 26,1986 to mark the official opening of the SKD during the Six-Nations tournament with a 0-0 draw vs Guinea Sylli Nationale where the team ended in third place, thanks to an overlapping run from Simon Mattor to get the lone goal for Liberia Lone Star vs the Sparrow Hawks of Togo.
From that time to 2002, it was 15 years,six months and two days, the most captivating and in fact fruitful chapter in Liberian football.
When will the glory days return? a big ask as a lot more needs to be done. Nowadays, Lone Star faithfuls don’t nurse any major hope of success as the team have become journey men just wandering, so painful, no doubt. Another empty handed campaign, the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, something that was expected, no mincing of words.
