By Christopher C. Walker,Christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com 0777898224/0886723075
Monrovia-The President of the Liberia Football Association(LFA), Mustapha Raji has extended an open invitation to Liberian international of William Jebor, Anthony Laffor, Sam Johnson and Mohammed Kessely Kamara to come and play for the national team of Liberia.
Both Jebor and Laffor have been out of the national team over three years due to dissatisfaction and other personal reasons.
William Jerbor who once serve as captain of the national team last game for Liberia was in 2019 October when Liberia play Chad at home.
The football association’s Communications in Director Danesius Marteh informed Liberians via social media that the 12-goal striker in 17 matches for Liberia, did not make the trip to Chad for the returned leg on Sunday, October 13.
According to the LFA spokesman, Jebor informed the FA after the game that he has no interest in playing for Liberia anymore on grounds of lack of respect for him.
Marteh wrote, “Striker William Jebor says he no longer wants to play for Liberia.”
“Jebor says Coach Peter Butler disrespected him by using him from the bench.”
“He has declined to honour the returned leg away to Chad and has asked the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to secure a flight to his club in the United Arab Emirates.” Martheh posted.
LFA President Mustapha Raji and Executive Committee member Henry Boyd Flomo held a meeting with Jebor at the team’s RLJ Hotel over his decision after the game but couldn’t reach a common ground.
But in an interview with Jebor he said he was misinterpreted.
In his post, the striker said he was ill and could not make the trip and never said he will not play for the Red, White and Blue-jersey team again.
Jebor posted on his official facebook page: “Sorry guys, will not be traveling because I ‘m feeling ill. Hope next time; I wish you well, God bless Liberia.”
Speaking to FrontPageAfrica via mobile phone, Jebor said he was frustrated in the LFA’s decision to say he withdrew from the team because of disrespect.
“I said I was not feeling too okay in myself and I asked to be excused and the LFA president said I should state my reason and I said I was not well he asked me if I had problem with the coach, I told him no.”
“I am just surprised for the LFA to publish such statement about me. I have no problem with the LFA or coaching staff.”
Liberia is my country. I am a Kru man when I come to play. If you see me playing for Liberia, I don’t joke. It is a job so I feel good playing for Mama Liberia because the people enjoy it,” Jebor told our reporter
He admitted that some things had happen that he was not satisfied about but it didn’t change the fact that he is a Liberian.
“My frustration is the LFA coming in the public to say things I did not say. Did I insult them? There have been times that things happen with players and the national team. We discuss those issues in house. We do not come out to say the LFA is not doing this or that” Jebor he said.
He last play Fujairah Football Club in the United Arab Emirates in 2020.
For Laffor who currently plays in South Africa has been out of the team since 2019 also and has never played under outgoing Lone Star coach Peter Butler.
Laffor one of the most experience players of the team felt disrespected by a statement from Butler’s deputy Christopher Wreh who told the media it was time for the new generation of players and not the old generation.
Wreh the former Arsenal striker was speaking when he was interview following Lone Star 3-1 win over Leone Stars in Monrovia.
Laffor last played as a winger for South African side Chippa United in 2021.
Sam Johnson who took over the Captainship from Jebor was has been out of the national team due to injury and personal issues.
Butler at one of his press conference said he don’t take passengers with him for games.
The coach statement was in respond to a question ask about why Johnson was left out of the team.
According to the coach Johnson had not play for months and was not match fit for selection.
Sam Johnson currently plays for Kazakhstani club FC Aksu as a striker where he is yet to score a goal for the club since joining in 2022.
Mohammed Kessely Kamara who is yet to make his debut for the national team disappear from the team’s camp in Nigeria on the day of the world cup qualifier with the Super Eagles on grounds he was not in the starting line-up.
According to the player,,,, he was told a day before the game that he was going to start the game but surprisingly the decision changed.
He said while walking in the hallway of the hotel the deputy coach and some technical staff were talking that he came for the game and was acting like a big player and did not see them which he didn’t understand the meaning.
He was later told by some friends at home and on the team that the coaches meant he should give them money.
Mohammed Kesselly “Keka Kamara plays for Hatayspor as a winger in Turkey.
But after two qualifies without the Jebor, Laffor and Johnson it same that the FA has decided to bring the old boys back on the team.
Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, LFA President Mustapha Raji said the Liberian internationals should reconsider their decision and come back to the National team.
Raji told the media that the National Team of Liberia remains open to all qualified players both home and aboard .
The Liberian FA boss indicated that once a National Team Player still remains a National Team player .
He disclosed that he has been in touch with the former national team players and captains recently to include Willam Jerbo, Anthony Laffor , Sam Johnson and also player Kesselly Kamara respectively.
He said no one holds anything against the players stating that they still remain loved by the LFA and Liberians in general and therefore encouraged them to come back home to serve their Mother Land .
“Liberia is your Country and it is now time that all Liberians work to help improve the game “.
“We are calling on William Jebor and Anthony Laffor to come back to their National team. Liberia is the only Country we have, all of us need to come together and make this Country better, I have had conversations with Jebor and Laffor and I again asking them to come back and contribute to their Country”.
“William Jebor I been in touch with him national team player remain a national team player we love you hope you can come back and wear the Red, White and Blue Anthony Laffor this is your team Kessely Kamara Sam Johnson is time we joined hands,” Raji said.