Monrovia – Despite his repeated calls in recent days for the inclusion of local voices in the national reconciliation process and his repeated urging for the need for a comprehensive reconciliation in Liberia, President George Manneh Weah appears to still be holding some grudge against some of his former teammates on the Liberian National team, the Lone Star.
Amid murmurs of repeated friction, one of those players, Liberia’s most celebrated player, James Salinsa Debbah has come out swinging, making his voice heard over the President’s decision to omit him from last Friday’s honor of former Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger.
In a post on his personal Facebook page Saturday, Debbah, who until the arrival of the Weah-led government, was the head coach of the Lone Star, expressed some disappointment at not being officially invited.
Said Debbah: “Despite the fact that I am also a recipient of this prestigious award, I was never given an official invitation to the event, but I insisted and went to pay homage to the man(Prof. Arsene Wenger) who give me my break in professional football… God is Great!!!
President Weah, a former peace ambassador has said, true peace and reconciliation can only be achieved in Liberia if the process of peacebuilding and reconciliation allows the voices of ordinary people to be heard.
During his Independence Day message in July, President also reiterated his reconciliation call, urging Liberians to join him in building the better and great nation longed since the founding of the country 171 years ago. While acknowledging that the task of building a vibrant nation is a momentous challenge that requires the overriding involvement of all Liberians in a strong bond of peace and unity, the President prayed God’s blessings, direction and guidance as Liberians endeavor to chart a new course for the country. According to him, developing the nation would prove fruitless and futile in the absence of peace and unity amongst Liberians.
“In order to move Liberia ahead and achieve sustainable development, we must be united and at peace with ourselves; we need a strong union and the peace that abide in our hearts for the prosperity of our beloved country,” President Weah declared.
Debbah’s post-Saturday suggest that lingering feud between the pair still exist. Some former footballers who have been regulars with President Weah’s weekly football practices confirmed to FrontPageAfrica that the feud is real, with one source telling FPA recently that Debbah left early during one session after feeling uncomfortable.
Debbah began his professional football career with Mighty Barolle in 1984. In 1989 he left Liberia for Union Douala in Cameroon, where he played one season. In 1990, Debbah moved to the French side Olympique Alesand in 1991, he moved up to the Ligue 1 side AS Monaco, linking up with Weah and Wenger, playing in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup finals. The following year he moved to Olympique Lyonnais. He moved to Ligue 1 side OGC Nice in 1995, where he lasted until 1997.
He moved to Belgium in 1997 to play for Belgian side RSC Anderlecht. He moved back to Ligue 1 side Paris St. Germain for one season. After leaving PSG, Debbah moved to the Turkcell Super League squad Ankaragucu for the 1998 and 1999 seasons, then to the Iraklis squad in Greece.
Debbah moved with Al-Jazeera Club from 2001–2003 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, then Muharraq Club from 2003–2004 in Bahrain. Four years after leaving Muharraq Club, he moved to the Indonesian Super League squad, PKT Bontang for the 2008-2009 season.
Debbah was part of both the 1996 and 2002 Liberian national football squads in the African Cup of Nations.