Former Liberian President and 1995 Ballon d’Or winner, George Manneh Weah, has praised the Grand Kru County football team for their impressive campaign at the National County Sports Meet, despite a 2–0 defeat to Nimba County in the final.
Weah, the only African ever to win football’s most prestigious individual award, met with the Grand Kru players after the match and commended them for reaching the championship game, describing the achievement as worthy of pride regardless of the outcome.
Speaking to the squad, he acknowledged that football often celebrates winners with trophies and recognition, while defeat brings little reward. However, he noted that the overwhelming support Grand Kru received throughout the tournament reflected public confidence in the team’s potential.
The football legend admitted that the team fell short of expectations in the final, highlighting that two early goals conceded proved costly and that the players were unable to recover. Although he said he was not fully familiar with the team’s tactical approach, Weah revealed that the coach had earlier assured him the trophy would be delivered.
Despite the setback, Weah expressed optimism about the future of the team and urged county authorities and stakeholders to keep the squad intact for future County Meets. He stressed that reaching the final alone was a significant accomplishment, especially given the challenges faced during the qualification stage.
Weah also reminded the players that finals are often unpredictable, noting that teams can excel in earlier rounds but struggle on the biggest stage, where concentration and mental strength are critical. He added that Nimba County did not overwhelmingly dominate the match but took advantage of Grand Kru’s early mistakes.
In a further show of encouragement, Weah pledged to organize a friendly match for the team, providing an opportunity for experienced players to interact with and mentor the young talents, helping them grasp the fundamentals of the game.
He concluded by challenging the players’ mindset, saying belief and orientation were lacking on the day. In a lighthearted yet motivational remark, Weah joked that even at 60 years old, had he played in the match, Grand Kru would have emerged victorious.
