SOURCE: BY AUGUSTUS AUDEKINA-DOE
Yes, it is indeed a matter of urgency to get an experienced goalkeeper, as Liberia goes into its fifth 2019 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) fixture against the “Warriors” of Zimbabwa, Sunday, November 18.
If, Coach Thomas Kojo should rejuvenate and re-brand the goalkeeping department of the “Lone Star”, he needs to put an urgent call-up of Melvin King, a forgotten star.
It’s a fact that the “Lone Star” has a goalkeeper famine with the three (3) Tommy Songo, Boison De Souza and Ashley Williams) have conceded seven goals in four matches played so far in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The problem of dealing with crosses has been a major hurdle for the three goalkeepers.
While the “Lone Star” suffers in such category, it’s a mockery to have an international shot-stopper like Melvin King wandering in the international wilderness.
Forgotten “Lone Star” shot-stopper, Melvin King is said to be making headway in the Ivory Coast.
King currently plies his trade in the Ivory Coast with Stella Club d’adjame in the Ivorian top league.
The 33-year-old goal custodian is ready and prepared to compete with Tommy Songo or any other goalkeepers between the sticks for the “Lone Star”.
The former Ghana-based Wasasaman FC goalkeeper thinks his time has come to rejoin the Nation’s pride as “Lone Star” fights to secure a place in the 2019 Afcon finals.
“Let the technical staff give me this chance and I will make a very fantastic use of it, Liberia in my country and my motherland”, he said.
The 6ft 2ins goalkeeper is certainly an experienced campaigner who made his debut for country in 2007 and was first choice in the 2010 qualifier under German Coach Antoine Hey where he went against the Gambia, Senegal and Algeria.
King has recorded six appearances for the senior national team “Lone Star” in the past World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The experienced goalkeeper‘s last appearance for “Lone Star” was in 2008 when Liberia lost to Senegal 3-1.
The Ivorian-based goalie also featured in Liberia 1-1 draw against the Gambia at home.
Other matches capped by King on “Lone Star” squad were Senegal in a back-to-back fixtures that ended (2-2 and 3-1) respectively.
The in-form goalie was involved in Liberia’s 3-0 lost to Algeria before getting a 2-0 win against Sudan, in Oman, Liberia lost 1-0, while Sierra Lone at home, Liberia won 3-1.
Pundits believed that with the hullabaloo plaguing the goalkeeping department of the team, there is a need to have an experienced person between the sticks.
It is not that the goalkeepers are not good, they are very good, but talking about experience, they realistically for now, fall below the belt.
King was also first choice goalkeeper of the Monrovia FC team that represented Liberia in the Gothia and Dana Cup betweenn1997 and 1999 in Sweden and Denmark at U-13,U-14 and U-15 levels.
He is a goalkeeper who has been showing consistency in the Ghanaian and Ivorian top flights as there is a need to invite him for the crucial clash with Zimbabwe Warriors later this month in the Afcon qualifier.
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