Following a weeklong trial out in Monrovia, national team coach of Liberia Betarlan Bicskei has recalled sixteen overseas players for his first competitive match in September.
According to a LFA release by Press Officer Henry Flomo, notable among the 16 are two rousing stars of topnotch European clubs CSK Moscow of Russia and Manchester City of England, Sekou Jabateh Oliseh and Alex Tchumine-Nimely.
The two forwards would play their debut encounter if they honor the September 5th match against Zimbabwe, Liberia’s opener in the 2012 Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers in Monrovia. The Hungarian Coach feels the inclusion of the duo could give his side finesse and motivation.
Though Nimely has assured Liberians and the coach in particular he will don the colors of Liberia, his recent membership to the England U-20 squad, makes Coach Bicskei to name Sweden based forward Amadiya Rennie as an alternative to the Man City youngster. Amadiya, a leading member of the immediate past national side (under German coach Antoine Hey) plays for Elfsborg of Sweden.
However, the CSK forward Jabateh, who holds a Nigerian passport, has committed himself to the Country. He is yet to feature for Nigeria in any category.
Another new face recalled to the team is David Gbemie, formerly of Bolton Wanderers. David, as Nimely, is a British citizen. But as Jabateh, David has not played a game for England, in any category. Though currently unattached, David recently caught the eyes of coach Bicskei in the weeklong trial out in Monrovia.
The rest of the contingent members recalled by Bicskei are regular faces on the national side. They are: Striker Dioh Williams of AGF of Denmark, midfielder Dulee Joohnson of Aik Solna of Sweden, newly crowned Captain Anthony Snoti Laffor who plays a forward for Super United of South Africa, midfielder Patrick Doeplah (unattached in Budapest), defenders Gizzie Dorbor of Irony BatYam of Israel and Jimmy Dixon of Manisaspor of Turkey.
Others are: defender Solomon Grimes of Ethnikos Piraeus of Greece, midfielder Theo Weeks of Ankanragucu of Turkey, defenders George Baysah of Hapoel Kfar Saba of Israel and Alex Karmo of Kenyan top side Stima FC, forward Francis Doe of Al Ahly of Egypt, and midfielders Steve Mennoh of Persipasi Bekasi of Indonisia and Isaac Pupo of Panionios GSS of Greece.
The 16 players listing did not name a goalkeeper, meaning the Hungarian Coach will select from the pool of local goalkeepers he has been encamping over the weeks.
Meanwhile, Coach Bicskei has clarified former national team leading goalkeeper Louis Crayton is currently nursing injury, thus he could not be recalled. Upon recovery, Bicskei says Crayton could be given a chance to prove himself on the team. The goalie recently announced his delight to rejoin the national team.
Coach Bicskei has forwarded the list to the secretarial of the Liberia Football Association for the body to make the players available for the September 5th encounter against Zimbabwe in Monrovia.
Liberia is paired alone with Mali, Cape Verde and Zimbabwe for the qualifiers. Liberia is making frantic effort to return to gala in 2012 having been absent sin Mali 2002. The new LFA leadership says the signing of the Hungarian coach is the beginning of the road to 2012.
In a related story, the local component of the national side moves to camp shortly. Coach Bicskei has rejuvenated the local squad following the weeklong trial tournament. One of the new faces brought on board is Perry Kollie, who until now played in Indonesia but currently on vacation in the country. Perry scored five goals in three matches in the weeklong tournament.