Monrovia – The head coach of the Liberia national football team Ansu Keita has invited 25 players to begin training ahead of the South Africa double header in March.
Liberia travels to face South Africa on March 24 away from home and will host the Bafana Bafana in Monrovia on March 28 In the 2023nations cup qualifiers.
By: Christopher C. Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
Keita who took over from Peter Butler first selection of locally-based players has left several outstanding players in the ongoing national league from his squad, something which has created debate among football lovers.
Notable absentee from Keita’s team is Liberia Football Association first division Best Defender Kemoh Kamara who was part of the CHAN team that Keita took charge of against Senegal.
The Bea Mountain defender has been one of the most consistent players in the country from his days with Mighty Blue Angeles to Nimba United, BYC, LISCR and Bea Mountain.
Kamara who has been impressive in Bea Mountain 15 games undefeated run and topping the first division league exclusion from Keita list has been considered as the first big mistake by Keita.
Also, Edward Ledlum who is among the top goal scorers in the league was not extended an invitation to the disbelieve of many football lovers.
The winger with a lot of international experience has proven to be among the best players in the country but Keita and the staff are not considering the skillful wide man who has eyes for goals.
Another player who has not been included in Keita’s local base squad is last season’s top goal scorer Prince Zawoh.
Keita also failed to call national county meet MVP and top goal scorers Emmanuel Sieh and James Tarpeh but was able to call up the best defender in the just-ended county meet Nelson Laomine of Mighty Enforcers a 3rd division player and rookie to the first division in Jeremiah Johnson who played for Lofa in the national county meet but made a move to IE.
It is believed that Keita beg IE to sign Johnson to justify his decision to call him to the national team.
Also not included is Seah Nyumah all of IE, LISCR FC Central back John Momo, Sebastian Teclar who are all top performers in the league have been overlooked by the technical staff of national team.
What is more unbelieving is Hamed Sekou Fofana an Ivorian player who is playing in the national league for Gardnersville FC as a foreign player was selected without the players changing his nationality.
Keita said during his unveiling that he will be looking at the possibility of using more local players but with his first selection, it seems that he doesn’t want to deal with experienced players.
Meanwhile, the 25-man listing includes Tommy Songo who has not played active football for LISCR in the last four months and is struggling at their clubs.
The Lone Star Coach Ansumana Keita told reporters after his first training session that he selected the players because of what he saw in them from their games and practice sessions at their various teams.
“I don’t select players because of sympathy, I select players because of Technical ability,”.
“The team has started training now, once am satisfied with them as a coach, I can use them against South Africa, and nothing will stop me from using them so long I believe in them,”
“We have to help each other for Liberia to progress,”.
“Football is not about professional players or local players, football is about who is willing to do the work you want them to do”, Keita said about the players after his session on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
Full list
Goalkeepers: Tommy Songo (LISCR FC), Emmanuel Denneah (Bea Mountain) and Derrick Julu (Watanga FC)
Defenders: Alexander Curtis and Henry Sakama (Watanga FC); Hamed Fofana (Gardnersville FC), George Wallace (LPRC Oilers), Nelson Laomine (Mighty Enforcers), and Prince Nagbo (Nimba Kwado)
Midfielders: Yaya Bility, Kertu Jerbo and John Jaysay (Bea Mountain); Morris Konneh and Sean Barry (Heaven Eleven); Farsedu Logan and Sheick Sesay (Watanga FC); Christopher Sergbeh (LISCR FC), Sidiki Kromah (Invincible Eleven), Darius Johnson (Freeport FC), Arku Morris (Muscat FC) and Abu Kindness Cole (Mighty Barrolle)
Forwards: Jeremiah Johnson (Invincible Eleven), Christopher Jackson (LISCR FC) and Gibson Freeman (Cece United)