The President of the Republic of Liberia, George Oppong Weah, has hailed Nigeria as a great and worthy ally in national development and also described Nigerian football as a model that he would want his country to follow.
The Liberian President, a former World Footballer of the Year and African Footballer of the Year, said that Nigerian football had always inspired him.
The Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos said that Weah spoke after the Tuesday night’s exhibition match between the Lone Star and Super Eagles at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia.
“As a young, upcoming footballer, I was always fascinated by Nigeria’s football stars. I looked up to the likes of Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, FridayEkpo and others.
“I believed that the African footballer can also get to the very top. I believe that in Africa, somewhere, there is another Ballon D’Or winner.
“We have to find him, expose him to the world and give him the opportunity to actualise his dream,” a statement by Olajire quoted Weah, African, European and World Footballer of the Year in 1995 as saying.
“He commending the Federal Government, Nigeria Football Federation and the Super Eagles for the honour done to him on the occasion which was to celebrate his contributions to Liberian football.
“Weah revealed that as a people, Liberians look up to Nigeria’s pedigree in the round leather game and will work hard to get there.
“Weah and former national teammate, James Debbah led out the Lone Star against the Super Eagles in a game played in an ambience of warmth, mutual respect and good spirit.
“Henry Onyekuru and Simeon Nwankwo scored for Nigeria in the first half, while Liberia reduced the deficit through a penalty kick in the second half when Oluwasemilogo Ajayi handled the ball in the box.
“NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko and Executive Committee member Ibrahim Musa Gusau led the Nigerian delegation to Monrovia,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile Everton star, Henry Onyekuru, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, opened scoring for the Eagles and Simeon ‘Simy’ Nwankwo extended the lead for Nigeria before halftime.
Kpah Sherman pulled one back for the hosts from the penalty spot in the second half as the game ended 2-1 in favour of the three times African champions.
