Mixed reviews for Weah comeback
Local football pundit Isack Hamata and former international footballer Collin Benjamin have praised Liberian president George Weah for featuring in a friendly match on Tuesday, but said he should rather stick to his day job.
Weah made a surprise return to football this week, playing for his country in a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria.
“I think it was a once-off appearance by Weah. As you might know now, the match was meant to retire his famous number 14 jersey for Liberia.
“What Weah is showing to other former footballers and the rest of his countrymen and -women is that you can continue playing football for as long as your legs and your heart can carry you.
“It is only the intensity of the match that will be different. Maybe he can consider going fulltime into social football to continue to use football as a tool for social change in his country,” said Hamata.
Benjamin, who played for German side TSV 1860 München as well as the Brave Warriors, said Liberia needs Weah more as a president than as a footballer.
Benjamin represented Namibia at the 2008 African Cup of Nations, and earned 32 caps while captaining the national team for several years.
The 51-year-old Weah, the only African to win the Ballon d'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards, started the friendly match in the Liberian capital of Monrovia and received a standing ovation after being substituted after 79 minutes.
The game had been arranged to honour Weah, sworn in as president in January, and to retire his number 14 jersey made famous during his brilliant heyday.
When he stepped onto the field, Weah captained the team and reportedly showed glimpses of his former magic while leading their attack.
Nigeria fielded a relatively strong side for the international friendly, with Leicester City duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho both making appearances.
The Super Eagles dominated much of the showpiece, taking a two-goal lead through Henry Onyekuru and Simeon Nwankwo, before the home side responded with a late Kpah Sherman penalty.
Weah, considered one of the greatest strikers in history, also played for Monaco and AC Milan, among other teams.
-Additional info by Weny.com
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Weah made a surprise return to football this week, playing for his country in a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria.
“I think it was a once-off appearance by Weah. As you might know now, the match was meant to retire his famous number 14 jersey for Liberia.
“What Weah is showing to other former footballers and the rest of his countrymen and -women is that you can continue playing football for as long as your legs and your heart can carry you.
“It is only the intensity of the match that will be different. Maybe he can consider going fulltime into social football to continue to use football as a tool for social change in his country,” said Hamata.
Benjamin, who played for German side TSV 1860 München as well as the Brave Warriors, said Liberia needs Weah more as a president than as a footballer.
Benjamin represented Namibia at the 2008 African Cup of Nations, and earned 32 caps while captaining the national team for several years.
The 51-year-old Weah, the only African to win the Ballon d'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards, started the friendly match in the Liberian capital of Monrovia and received a standing ovation after being substituted after 79 minutes.
The game had been arranged to honour Weah, sworn in as president in January, and to retire his number 14 jersey made famous during his brilliant heyday.
When he stepped onto the field, Weah captained the team and reportedly showed glimpses of his former magic while leading their attack.
Nigeria fielded a relatively strong side for the international friendly, with Leicester City duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho both making appearances.
The Super Eagles dominated much of the showpiece, taking a two-goal lead through Henry Onyekuru and Simeon Nwankwo, before the home side responded with a late Kpah Sherman penalty.
Weah, considered one of the greatest strikers in history, also played for Monaco and AC Milan, among other teams.
-Additional info by Weny.com
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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