Monrovia – Liberia’s President-elect George Weah scored a brilliant spot kick against the Armed Forces of Liberia in a friendly football match on Saturday in Monrovia to solidify relationship between the incoming President and the military.
Report by Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
Weah All Stars (WAS) defeated the Soldier Boys of the Armed Forces of Liberia 2-1 in a match organized 2-1 at the Barclay Training Center ahead of the inauguration slated for Monday, January 22.
It was a match to pay respect to the military as a sign of Weah’s willingness to work with every sector of the country.
WAS team comprised former football players of Liberia’s Lone Star. The Weah side started the match on a very slow pace but increased their pace after 10 minutes into the match when the former World Best hit a stunning free kick.
Christopher Wreh had the first real opportunity of the game but his shot from close range traveled over the crossbar to the disbelief of Weah , who setup the former Arsenal striker.
Later, Wreh was fouled outside the 18-yard-box resulting to a spot kick that was converted by George Weah. The former Lone Star talisman carved the ball around the wall of the Soldier Boys in a spectacular fashion to open the scoring.
Both teams created several chances but were unlucky as the first half ended 1-0 in favor of Weah’s All Stars.
Back from the break, the Soldiers Boys mounted more pressure on the defense of WAS as Janjay Jacobs missed three clear opportunities for the Army Boys.
But the military was not deterred as they got an equalizer later in the second half.
Their celebration did not last long as Patrick Nuku Garnu restored the former professionals lead with a strike from in the 18-yard-box after a through passed from Weah that saw George Gebro fouled in the process but Nuku wasted no time to place the ball at the back of the net.
Nuku’s goal pushed the Army Boys to equalize but Thomas Kojo, Fofee Kamara, and Varmah Kpoto stood their grounds in defense.
Following the game, Kojo, who once played for Mighty Barrolle, told FrontPage Africa that having a president who is a former footballer is a good sign for football development in the country.
“This is something we have prayed for years to have a president that will love football like former president Doe and Taylor because football is not improving,” he said.
Kojo, who is also the deputy coach of the National team of Liberia, said Weah’s ascendency means footballers or sports personalities can be whatever they want to be if they are determine.
Janjay Jacobs said Weah showed his love for Liberians during difficult times so been the president of the country means things will improve for football.
Liberian Journalist based in the United States of America, Cyrus Joel Mcgee posted on Social media: “It Was during the regime of the late President Samue K. Doe, the talent of our President-elect George Weah took off & our Lone Star started to fly so high among many nations in Africa and the world at large”.