Monrovia – Former Liberia national team goalkeeper Nathaniel Sherman has kicked off a goalkeeper training academy for the next generation of Liberian keepers. Sherman said the specialized academy, unlike others in the country, is open to all interested individuals or players.
By: Christopher C walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
Nathaniel Sherman was forced to retire from football after injuring his eyes while on national duty. The former Liberian goalkeeper’s career was cut short in 2015 after he suffered a serious eye injury walking into a glass panel at the national team hotel ahead of an African Nations Cup qualifier against Tunisia in September. Sherman told the press in 2015 that the accident caused the glass to shatter, damaging the retina of his right eye. He is currently using glasses to help him see clearly after traveling to India for surgery. Years after his career came to an end, he obtained a BSc degree from the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) in Management as his major and Public Administration as his minor.
According to the former BYC, Nimba United, and Roots FC keeper, over the years, he observed that there is a need to have an academy for goalkeepers in the country because many of the keepers don’t have the basics of goalkeeping. He told FrontPage Africa that his academy, which is exclusively for keepers, will provide international training for grassroots shot-stoppers and top keepers in the country.
The program, which commenced on Monday, March 18, 2024, at the Samuel K Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville city, with over 20 goalkeepers participating in day one and two training on Tuesday, has been described as a good start by football pundits and lovers of the beautiful game. Sherman, who also served as the goalkeeper coach of the National team of Liberia, told our sports desk that the academy is named KEBE Goalkeeper Academy and is scheduled to be officially launched in April 2024. The goalkeeper academy seeks to promote the professional growth and development of grassroots goalkeepers across Liberia.
“The wait is finally over,” Sherman wrote on his Facebook page. “The opportunities for Goalkeepers, between the ages of 8 to 20 years old (Male & Female), including all first and second-division teams’ goalies, are welcome,” he added. He further stated that to be part of the program, keepers will need to come with their gloves and boots, and the Academy will provide uniforms and all training equipment. When asked about the requirements to be part of the academy, Sherman said, “For now, it’s free; after the official launch, we will separate the packages.”
“Today, the KEBE Goalkeeper Academy started its first pre-training session ahead of the official launch early next month. “We want to appreciate all your support,” he continued. “This is a journey to success; I know it will be tough at some point, but we will keep going for the benefit of the motherland, Africa, and the world at large,” Sherman wrote after his first training session with the kids.
About Kebe Goalkeepers Academy Kebe Goalkeepers Academy is an organization set up to discover and develop future goalkeepers’ talents in Liberia. Former Lone star International Goalkeeper and CEO and Founder Nathaniel S. Sherman, who’s the current Goalkeeper trainer for the Liberia National Team, is the brain behind the program to help develop the goalkeepers’ skills. Kebbe Goalkeepers Academy will provide the opportunity and identify potential young female and male goalkeepers with the desire to become professionals in their soccer careers. In our quest to develop and promote the game of football in Liberia, Kebe Goalkeepers Academy remains committed and willing to work with promising young male and female goalkeepers to develop their skills and make them professional goalkeepers for the future.