PHOTO: James Salinsa Debbah, former Lone Star Coach
By Christopher C. Walker,christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com
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Monrovia- Former Liberian international football and coach of the national team of Liberia James Salinsa Debbah has frowned at the Liberia Football Association’s decision to appoint Ansu Keita as the stand-in coach of the local national team.
Debbah is one of the famous players of Liberia’s golden generation (George Weah 11) that took the country to two nations cups says Keita has been doing a fantastic j with the giving/U17 team and should continue with his rebuilding process, of the youth teams, in his words he sees no reason why, Keita has been give the top job.
According to the former national team coach the LFA needs to rethink and consult with former national team players to appoint a coach of the national team.
In his post on social media, Debbah accused LFA president Mustapha Raji of not consulting former professional footballers who he thinks have better ideas about the game.
“Mustapha Raji with all due respect, your reluctance to consult former professional footballers, whom I believe is the primary authority on issues relating to football, is nothing but “sheer arrogance”
“Please leave Coach Keita alone and allow the coach to stay put to where he is (U-15/17 coach). We don’t build from the top, it is only from the foundation that we can construct and sustain for the future.
“The Coach has been very effective with the U-15/17 team. Please do not distract his focus”
“It took the George Weah 11 team a decade (10yrs) to metamorphose into a competitive team. I beg to differ, it is almost “impossible” at the moment to attain the level of success the GW 11 team accomplished. I believe that Coach Keita is on the right trajectory to build a formidable team for the future. I advice that the LFA conduct proper consultations that will solicit valuable recommendations in acquiring a well-seasoned and experienced coach for the senior National Team,” James Debbah wrote.
But in respond to the former Lone Star player post, Raji said he is open to all Liberians to discuss football.
He said at no time Debbah has approach his on the national team or football issue so he don’t know why he is accusing of not consulting with former players.
“Debbah has never spoken to me about the national team. I’ve been very accessible to all stakeholders. He has met me on several occasions, has my number but opted to termed me as an arrogant person. Well, his opinion.
“Maybe other players were consulted to make him coach. Why didn’t he make similar statement when Kojo was initially appointed? What about Butler? Is there any law that suggest us to do so?” Raji said.
In recent time there have been calls from Liberians that the national team head coach need to be given a former player or Liberian coach.
Former Lone Star defender Dionysius Sebwe also urged the FA to select coaches of the national team on merit and not interest.
He said the underperformance of the team in recent time is as the result of coaches who don’t merit the job.