By Emmanuel wise Jipoh
Ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, English-born Liberian duo Christian Saydee and Nohan Kenneh are to form part of the Nation’s pride, the Lone Star in March 2023.
Christian Saydee of championship side Bournemouth is on loan to Shrewsbury Town and Nohan Kenneh of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian, are the latest two, who have committed their international future to the Motherland, after nearly a two-year challenge to convince the European lineage footballers to play for the Lone Star.
Nohan Kenneh, who was born in Monrovia, and move to England at an early age, is yet to get a senior cap for his foster country, having represented the Three-Lions at several Youth- International levels, Including the Under 15, 16, & 17, England Youth National team.
According to report, Kenneh has made the change to his international allegiance, after being overlooked by English Coach Gareth Southgate for his England National team- 26 men selection pick for the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The versatile midfielder, who has an impressive start to his career in Scotland, playing 19 matches this season for Hibernian in all competitions, and 13 of 16 in the Scottish topflight, is expected to make his international debut for Liberia against South Africa in March 2023, in round three of the 2023 Nations Cup qualifying.
Kenneh’s commitment news came when the Hibernian midfielder featured in a photoshoot, alongside Deputy Minister for Sports, G. Andy Quamie, which went viral on social media.
The story featuring Nohan Kenneh attired in white with Deputy Minister G. Andy Quamie was initially posted by Liberian Journalist T. Kla Wesley captioned “Scotland-based Liberian-born midfielder, Nohan Kenneh is currently in Liberia on vacation.
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He visited deputy minister of sports, G. Andy Quame, today at his office in Paynesville, but said detail of the discussion will be revealed subsequently.
However, a close source to the player hinted that the 19-year-old has finally accepted to play for the National team and is only matter of international details and clearance from FIFA, that will allow him switch from England to Liberia.
For his part, Christian Saydee had earlier this year switched his international allegiance from England to Liberia. Deputy Sports Minister G Andy Quamie, again was the same source, who confirmed Saydee’s switch to Liberia.
Minister Quamie wrote in August “Liberia [is] waiting for you in March”, in an Instagram post, tagging the player. When quizzed in a chat about his post, he confirmed that the forward has now agreed to switch his allegiance to Liberia.
The Liberian government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, accompanied by the Liberia Football Association (LFA), is looking to recruit the best cream European-based players to beef up the National team.
Saydee, who sensationally turned down a chance to play for the Lone Star on series of occasions, holding out for England call-up, is now eligible to play for Liberia, and would be one of five new faces, including Hapoel Haifa Forward Mohammed Kesselly Kamara, Guinean- born- Australian, Al Hassan Toure of Macarthur FC, Franklin Nyenetue, of Sandefjord, who all the Liberia Football Association (LFA) is closely working on to represent Liberia in the next Nations Cup qualifying rounds against South Africa, scheduled for March 2023. Editing by Jonathan Browne
