Sports Mirror Newspaper

Sports Mirror Newspaper The GOAL of The Sports Mirror Newspaper is to release Liberian Sports reportage from the bo***ge of foreign-dominated Sports Newspapers.

Why The Sports Mirror Newspaper

Football has had an enduring presence in Liberia since the 1950s. The game was played among the scattered communities without a central organization. Available information suggests early an encounter in Monrovia between a local team known as the Young Lions against a select side of expatriates, then working with companies in Monrovia. Though the exact date of the m

atch could not be verified, it was however not played under any organized association. It was simply a game without much of the arrangement and organizations we know today. The truth was that the players were familiar with the rules of the game and therefore playing against an expatriate side did not present any difficulty. The indication was that the sport made its appearance in the country through seamen who spent their time in Monrovia, along with Liberians who returned from trips to families to neighboring countries. But the notable game as the beginning of an organized occurred with a Liberian select side and an expatriate team. That game, and subsequent others were not played or organized under a central authority as we know it today, though they became the starting point for the game’s eventual organization in Monrovia. But it was not until the return of the man credited as the father of Liberian football, Mr. John Howard, from Grammar School in Sierra Leone, somewhere around 1936 that an attempt was made to get a central organization. And thereafter the Liberia Football Association was organized.
- Courtesy, Omari Jackson, founding member, SWAL (sports writers association of Liberia)

The writer of this great piece above, could go on and on in presenting his narratives on the ups and downs moments of Liberian football, as to the extent of success the game has recorded, against the bitter moments. Africa’s first independent republic, the biggest thing that has ever happened to Liberian football is the Country boasting of the only African footballer in George Weah, to have convincingly won the game’s most prestigious individual award – the Balon d’Or or in its English meaning; World Best Footballer of the Year Award. The Country has made only two qualifications to the finals of a major football competition which is the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996, and 2002, South Africa and Mali respectively. At those two competitions, the oldest Country in Africa made its name amongst group mates but with the old adage that one cannot offer beyond the bounds of their ability, the endeared Lonestar did not make a knockout crossover, despite having an enviable lineup that included the great man himself; George Weah. The Country [Liberia] has seen other great players, and this takes me once more to founding Sports Writers Association of Liberia member Omari Jackson, now editor of the Daily Observer Newspaper. Sharing a professional conversation time with Jackson, he remarked that it was strong promotional writings from himself and the likes of Philip N. Wesseh, Willis Knuckles, Mozart Dennis, Mohammed Winpea, Burgess Carter, Peter Quaqua, etc, that the burgeoning skills of potential players was marketed to the larger world. Newspapers, including Sports World, Sports Chronicle, The News Sports, during the heydays of Liberian football, focused reportorial lenses mainly on the talents young players began exhibiting. They maximized promotion of those already with a high performance in the national football league or in community-organized tournaments. These were indeed players who were impactful and when given media attention, they could attract the interest of big name player-agents or scouts of notable European clubs. Through such nationalistic or patriotic styled Journalism, Jackson said, nicknames were given to some key players who put up remarkable performance for the National Team and some in the sporting populace even hardly call those players by their actual family [given] names as the nicknames Sports Reporters of the past gave them resonated with the fans and rang a louder bell when cheering from the stands.

13/12/2016

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo beat rival Lionel Messi to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for a fourth time.

The 31-year-old is now one behind Barcelona's Messi, who took the honour for a fifth time last year.

Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann finished third in the vote.

Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win last season's Champions League and scored three goals as Portugal won Euro 2016.

He has now won the Ballon d'Or in 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, with Messi the only other recipient of the award since winning it for the first time in 2009.

"I never thought in my mind that I would win the Golden Ball four times. I am pleased. I feel so proud and happy," said Ronaldo.

"I have the opportunity to thank all of my team-mates, the national team, Real Madrid, all of the people and players who helped me to win this individual award."

The former Manchester United forward has scored 19 goals in 20 games for club and country this term, to add to the 54 he got last season.
Ballon d'Or winners
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo 2009: Lionel Messi
2015: Lionel Messi 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo
2014: Cristiano Ronaldo 2007: Kaka
2013: Cristiano Ronaldo 2006: Fabio Cannavaro
2012: Lionel Messi 2005: Ronaldinho
2011: Lionel Messi 2004: Andriy Shevchenko
2010: Lionel Messi 2003: Pavel Nedved

Ronaldo's Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale finished sixth in the vote, while Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy - the only Englishman included on the 30-player shortlist - was eighth.

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by 173 journalists from around the world.

It has been awarded by France Football every year since 1956, but for the past six years it became the Fifa Ballon d'Or in association with world football's governing body and was awarded to the world's best player.

However, Fifa ended its association with the award in September.

Fifa will hand out its own prize for the world's best men's player, along with the best women's player and team of the year, at the Best Fifa Football Awards ceremony in Zurich on 9 January.

13/09/2016

Grand Bassa County Gets Though Group in National County Meet Draw

By Kolubah Zayzay

Defending National County Meet Football Champions Grand Bassa County have been drawn in what pundits described as tough group in the 2016/2017 National County Sports Meet qualifying round.
Grand Bassa was drawn in group D against former Champions, Bomi County, Gbarpolu County and Grand Cape Mount County for the qualifying stage of the county meet.
The draw which took place at the weekend also paired two former champions B**g County, and Margibi County against Lofa County in Group A.
Nimba County who lost in the quarter final last edition will play former Champions Rivercess County, as well as Sinoe and Montserrado Counties in Group B.
Group C pairs 1989 Champions, Grand Gedeh County alongside River Gee, Grand Kru and Maryland Counties.
Grand Cape Mount County who last won the National County Sports Meet in 2013 beating Montserrado County in the final will host the qualifying round for teams in Group D.
Cape Mount failed to progress to the quarter final last season, but look set to be a contender for the title this season, according to reports coming in.
Bomi County which have failed to past the group stage in the last two editions, appear to be the underdog in the group, as the county has not shown any intend since their last quarter final appearance in 2010/2011.
Gbarpolu County, a defeated quarterfinalist last season, seem to have serious ambition to winning the title this season (year) as the county have since began scouting of players for its kickball and football teams.
Though some pundits think the three Western Liberia Counties could post hindrance to Grand Bassa County’s progress, the county authorities see the group as an easy zone.
Bassa’s dominance of the National County Sports Meet last term, gave the county officials lots of motivation to battle for a third straight title in 2016/2017.
They have maintained their setup since winning the football and basketball first place cups, as well as third place in Kickball.
They will definitely be the team to beat, though they will be among Western Counties.
Group A matches will take place in Voinjama, Lofa County between hosts Lofa, B**g and Margibi County.
Lofa, last season’s third place winners are the only county in this group yet to taste the county meet championship in both Football and Kickball.
With no active football and kickball activities in the county for the past two years, Lofa could find it tough in qualifying in their own backyard against B**g and Margibi Counties, two counties with good sporting activities.
Margibi County can boast of the best youthful football league in the country at the moment, owing to the fact that the County have dominated the National Third Division Playoff producing three second division teams in the past 24 months. They have since started recruiting players for their teams.
B**g County were beaten in the semifinal last season by eventual winners Grand Bassa county, but have never failed to reach the second round in all of the since the new millennium.
B**g and Margibi Counties are tipped as favorites to progress from that group.
In Group B, Bookmakers tipped host Nimba County and last year’s defeated finalist, Montserrado County to progress ahead of Sinoe and Rivercess counties.
Nimba is another side that have not missed out on the quarter final since the new millennium, and the county have taken serious delight in winning the title this year to end five years wait for the title.
Since showing dominance in the competition in the 1960s, Montserrado County have struggled in winning the title, but came close to winning in 2013 and 2016.
Back by huge finance, Montserrado County want to end that poor run and show supremacy as “first” and most populated county. That can only be done by winning the title this year. Montserrado County has the power to attract some of the best cream of players.
Sinoe and Rivercess Counties have not shown any serious organizational structure and preparation in participating in the competition in recent years.
It will be a surprise to many if any one of the two should progress to the second round of the competition.
Group C is open to any of the four participants to qualify, but host Maryland and Grand Gedeh Counties are seen as favorites.
River Gee County could however post serious threat to them.
Grand Kru County have not been making much impact in the competition in recent time and not much is been heard in their camp about gearing up for the tournament.
Group winners and their respective runners up will advance to the last eight of the competition which will take place in Monrovia at the ATS.
The tournament according to the Youth and Sports Ministry will formally kickoff on December 3 in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, where the official opening ceremony will take place.
2016/2017 National County Sports Meet FULL GROUPING
GROUP A
Lofa County
B**g County
Margibi County
GROUP B
Nimba County
Rivercess County
Sinoe County
Montserrado County
GROUP C
Maryland County
Grand Gedeh County
River Gee County
Grand Kru County
GROUP D
Grand Cape Mount County
Grand Bassa
Bomi County
Gbarpolu County

19/06/2016
Black Aces Terminate Kpah Sherman’s Contract

Liberia Striker Sherman To Keep Searching...

South African ABSA Premiership outfit Mpumalanga Black Aces has terminated the contract of Liberian striker Kpah Sherman after just a single season at the club.

19/06/2016
Theo Weeks Joins New Club in Azerbaijan

Liberian Midfielder Gets New Job

The Azerbaijani Premier League giant commonly known as Gabala FK has signed Liberian international midfielder Theo Lewis Weeks on a season loan from his Cypriot first division club.

04/04/2016
Keith Nah Keeps Scoring

More Young Options for Debbah

Keith Nah may have gone unnoticed by Lonestar’s technical staff, but the 23-year-old striker relentlessly continues to hit the back of the net for his Yadanarbon club.

28/01/2016

By: Augustus Auggie Audekina Doe/Journalist
January 28, 2016

Done Deal:

Gebor Signs in Indonesia

Liberia’s professional footballer, Abel Gebor has finally sealed a deal with Indonesian Super league club, Persebaya Surebaya today, Thursday, FOCUS Sports understand.

Persebaya Surebaya is a former club side of Liberia International midfielder, Isaac Popo.

The 25-year-old defensive midfielder moved at the Gelora B**g Tomo Stadium on a one season contract valued at US$60,000.00 excluding bonuses.

Accordingly, the deal runs for eight (8) months (March to November) but option for extension will be discuss in the middle of the season.

He has been issue the #14 shirt.

Already, Gebor has won the trust of the technical staff of the Asian club following his first match played in a Pre-season 4-0 win against a Second tier club, Pra-pon jatim.

An assist from him secured his side 3rd goal in the 4-0 win.

The Liberian mid-fielder is expected Friday to be in the starting line-up against second division side 81 tim in another Pre-season encounter.

Gebor, prior to sing in Indonesia had a half season contract with FK Terbuni Puke in the Albania premier league, where he make eight appearances and provided three assists.

The mid-fielder joined the Albanian Superliga side in August 29, 2015 after a brief stopover at FC Honka in the Finish league and a short spelled with Liberian top flight club, FC Fassell.

Gebor signed a-one year season long deal valued at US$16,000 which runs from August to May 2016 but has an option to leave the club at any given time.

The Liberian defensive midfielder was unable to make his debut for his new club due to the delay of FC Fassell to communicate to the Albania Football Federation admitting in few sentences that he is free to play anywhere.

Gebor was called to play for his motherland Liberia, during the country’s away fixture against Togo on June 14, 2015, in Lome, Togo.

The hard working defensive midfielder earned the trust of Lone Star coach James Debbah during the national team two international test matches in Ghana ahead of the Togo clash.

He played 20 minutes in Lone Star 2-1 defeat to Togo in the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers and his performance impressed 1995 Ballon D’ Or George Weah, who praised the defensive midfielder for his speeding ability.

Lone Star coach James Debbah called up Abel Gebor to help qualify the home base Lone Star over Guinea in the CHAN qualifiers on July 5, 2015 – that match ended 1-1 in Monrovia.

The local Lone Star needed 2-0 home win, having lost the first leg 3-1 in Bamako, Mali where Guinea played it home fixture owing to the Ebola ban.

A brief profile of Persebaya Surebaya: An Indonesian football club based in the city of Surabaya, East Java. The club's home ground is the Gelora B**g Tomo Stadium and they currently competing in the Indonesia Super League.

Indonesia Super League (ISL) (Indonesian: Liga Super Indonesia) is the highest professional level competition for football clubs in Indonesia and it the competition is managed by PT Liga Indonesia.
Currently contested by 18 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Indonesian First Division.

21/12/2015
Blatter and Platini get lengthy bans

As Blatter and Platini Fall..... The Mighty and Powerful Fall In Civilized Societies Strict with Professionalism, Integrity in Public Positions of Trust

Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa boss Michel Platini are banned for eight years following an ethics investigation.

Address

Outskirts Of Tarr Town, Sinkor Old Road
Monrovia

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sports Mirror Newspaper posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Sports Mirror Newspaper:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Nearby media companies

Other Media/News Companies in Monrovia

Show All

You may also like