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The Lone Star
has been experiencing some troubling situation nowadays. Most of
the players that made name for the national pride – the likes of
George Oppong Weah, James Salinsa Debbah, Joe Armstrong Nagbe,
Jonathan Sogbie, Kelvin Segbwe, and others seem to be less
interested in the team that made them.
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James Salinsa Debbah
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While some
have lost steam, others resigned for what they called the
“ingratitude of the Liberian people.”
One of those who is
distancing himself from the Lone Star is the nation’s celebrated
star, James Debbah.
He spoke on a
variety of issues, including his contract and the Lone Star in
an interview with journalist Sam Drue.
Question:
The most celebrated star, James Salinsa Debbah, was a household name
in Liberian soccer, but many Liberians are wondering whether
you have truly retired from playing active football.
Debbah:
I
am still playing, but the problem is that I missed out on two
contracts that I had due to my long stay in the United States. I
have been slack for a while now but the season is almost at the
end, so I would be able by the end of the season.
But you did
mention the national team, the Lone Star. Yes, you see the
problem is that I've been a little bit nonchalant.
The fact is
that all my efforts on the national team was scorned by some
individuals who thought I was a complete menace to the program
that they had.
If you look
at James Salinsa Debbah’s record on the national team, I am one
of the best players and highest goal scorer ever on the national
team. No one can discredit that there is nobody on this national
team that can beat my achievements.
Question:
Debbah, Lone Star is going down the drain. Thinking about your
contribution those days you carried Lone Star higher up. I can
remember what you did for Liberia on many occasions. Are you thinking
of coming back on the team along with other stars to make sure
that Lone Star qualifies from her zone?
Answer:
yes you see the problem here is not coming back on the team. The
problem is looking at your efforts - all the efforts I have made
are in vain.
You know what
I mean. I said previously that all my effort was scorned. You
see the Liberian people seem not be recognizing certain
individuals who have made some immense contributions.
Take for
example the game against Togo: We were unfortunate. We did not
win the game and the coach at the time, Kadallah Kromah, had
nothing to say but he went on the air and tried to make me look
bad.
But it’s ok.
I accepted it. In soccer you have to have critics. But what he
did not realize was that James Salinsa Debbah has played on this
national team for 12-15 years. And you know what it means to
played 15 years of consistency? If Kadallah Kromah had even played
5 years of consistency on the national team, then I could
consider him my peer.
But against
somebody who has established himself, he came on the air and
tried to discredit my ability. I would not support that, and I
think they owe me a lot of apology.
Even if I want to return
to the team, they owe me a lot of apology and that is
I will have to play with people I’ve been playing with in the past.
Question:
Debbah, some people are saying that you are not fit to play on
the
Lone Star now. Is it true that you are not fit?
Answer:
This is a complete mockery I would say. James Salinsa Debbah can
still do what he did six to seven years ago. I can run from here
to Baptist Seminary, to and fro. I can still run a 100-meters at
10.25.
I proved it.
I think last month they had a tournament and everybody doubted
James Salinsa Debbah’s ability. When I came, my first game I
played in Buchanan, I played against Bassa Defenders and I
scored a hat-trick. They got dumb-founded. I played the second
game – when we the ex-Lone Star players played against I.E,
and I
scored the only goal.
With all that
is it possible? With all these things they are saying - how
could you even question James Salinsa Debbah’s ability? You know
I am impeccable, one of the best players the national team ever
produced and that is a blessing to the Lone Star, but they did
not realize that.
You have
somebody on the team who is almost legendary, you know a
prodigy, but yet still they didn't realize my ability.
Question:
Let’s come back to your contract. Where do you have your new
contract, which European country are you going to?
Answer:
Oh
I can’t tell you now. You know the season is still on so I have
a couple of months - three months left, then I will see what I
can do. You know I still have few more good years left and I try
to make the best of it.
You know, I
am only in Liberia; I came back to Liberia because this place is
like a sanctuary for me. I come here once a while, so I am
enjoying myself. I am having a nice time, I get my family
around, it’s Ok. I am alright.
Question:
Do
you train constantly?
Answer:
Oh
yes! I train on a regular basis. There is nobody, no one who
trains more than me, everyone knows that.
Question:
When I talk about training, I am referring to practicing
with the team – Lone Star.
Question:
Do you?
Answer:
I practice on my own, I always practice on my own.
Question:
What are your last words, Debbah.
Answer:
Yes, for Liberian soccer, I do not have much to say. We are vast
years behind. You know we have more to go. Number one, you can
not play soccer without programming. We have no program for
instance, look at the national league.
I came here
last year, the highest goal scorer in the national league was a
midfield player, Patee Rozai and how many goals did he score –
six goals.
Where are the
attackers...? Liberian football is not
improving; we are on the decline if you look at somebody who is
considered the most valuable player and highest goal soccer in
the national league.
Because, I
can remember in the 1980's when I became higherst goal scorer and
most valuable player, I scored 23 goals in the league more than other
competitors.
Do I think
Liberian scorers are on the decline, to be frank, we really are on
the decline, we have to be more progressive now, you know, we
have to be proactive.
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