Sports

Africa can produce another Ballon d’Or winner — Weah

Published

6 years ago

September 13, 2018

Liberian President George Weah has said he wants his country to emulate Nigeria in terms of football development.Speaking after Tuesday night ’ s friendly match between the Lone Star and the Super Eagles at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia won by Nigeria 2 -1 , Weah said Nigerian football has always inspired him .

The match offered the former Monaco and AC Milan striker a chance to pull on the boots again to mark the retirement of the number 14 shirt he famously wore for his country .

On the same day , his son Timothy turned out for the United States in their 1 -0 defeat of Mexico in a friendly affair at Nissan Stadium in Nashville , Tennessee .

The 1995 World Player of the Year said , “ As a young footballer I was always fascinated by Nigerian football stars . I looked up to the likes of Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini , Friday Ekpo and others and 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. ”

The former Chelsea forward , who remains the only African to win the award , received a standing ovation after being substituted.

The 51 -year – old , who played 79 minutes in the match , commended Nigeria for honouring him .

His former international teammate James Debbah also played the match which Turkey – based forward Henry Onyekuru and Italy – based striker Simeon Nwankwo scored for Nigeria in the first half while Liberia reduced the deficit through a penalty kick in the second half when Semi Ajayi handled in the box .