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Football has never been a serious business in Liberia ever
since we started appointing pseudo tacticians to mend the
cracks created in our football setting.
Equitably scrutinizing the football structure in Liberia now,
it’s very clear that 95% of those handling our clubs are
amateurs, something that keeps taunting our football
expansion.
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Liberia's
wonderful Lone Star Squad |
It’s also not surprising to watch with folded arms that this
same act is being perpetuated into the handling of the
national team, the Lone Star.
The FA’s recent move to re-employ Wilfred Lardner as the
successor of the battered Kadallah Kromah, pundits believe is
a typical recycling exhibition.
On the run of play and in the tick of threading a free run,
it’s also refer to as a “hospital pass”.
It has been resolved that to have a formidable Lone Star
moving, a foreign coach must be contracted, but if we’re to do
with the coaches we’ve, then their romances with football
clubs in Liberia must be considered.
On papers, Coach Lardner better known as Tijani is a well
certificated coach, but his ability to suitably put his
knowledge into words and actions is a figment of imagination.
Tijani lacks great organizational skills along with the
ability to effectively deliver his message in an enthusiastic
and concise manner.
His biggest “success” was helping the Lone Star qualify for
South Africa ’96, which has been annulled because Lone Star
also qualified for Mali 2002 with Vava George and Jericho
Nagbe on the sidelines.
His association with the Lone Star dates as far back as
1985/86 with visibly no traces whatsoever to vouch for his new
assignment.
Consequently, there’s nothing to point to as far as his days
with Cedar United, IE and Junior Professionals are concerned.
On the other hand, Lone Star demands a tough and practically
oriented coach who has enjoyed successes not only at club
level, but at the level of the Lone Star.
Liberia has plenty of talents to choose from, and needs a
dedicated coach who has the nerve and experience working with
and transforming young talents.
Precisely, Jericho Nagbe is the most thriving coach in Liberia
today as far as scouting, players’ preparation and team
management are concerned.
It’s a hyperbole recounting his successes with several clubs
in Liberia today, but what will never go ignored is the fact
that Jericho has the “on the ball” ability of scouting and
dedicating his players with huge responsibilities that have
transformed their roles.
Scouting Prowess
Scouting is a very important responsibility of any serious
coach. It requires a great deal of time in assessing a player
or group of players and then analyzing their abilities to fit
in specific or dual roles.
Scouting has been the problem for Kadallah Kromah. He never
had some many options, one thing that resulted into having
over seven midfielders along against Senegal.
Isaac Tondo is counted blessed by a Jericho’s injection that
led to his two goals against Mauritius in Liberia’s rumpling
of the Indian Island four years ago.
Players’ Preparation
This is one of the most essential tools of the coaching
methodology and if any serious coach is to succeed, he will
definitely have to see the game through the player’s eyes and
tender him with that tactical insight to enable him develops
and competes as an all-round player.
Most coaches in Liberia are far from this aspect, and tend
loosing the nimble-witted in a short period.
Jericho who had been a decade-long devoted right-sided Lone
Star midfielder knows how to prepare players.
Team Management
Jericho might not be trained in the principle of team
management, which is a factor other than coaching anyway.
Having followed his coaching career for over a decade now, one
thing which has been a binding tool is his ability to make his
players conform as a family.
Sharing jokes of almost everything, he relaxes the physiology
of his players and team, a perfect communicating tool that
brings them together as a family.
He’s a very fastidious coach, and may be dislike by a player
in boredom. He’s a plain-speaking personality, and may be
despised by his employer, but believes in his ability to
deliver on the next match day. |
