Jeff Koinange's Wish for Liberian President

On Wednesday, endeared Citizen TV anchor, Jeff Koinange, made his biggest wish for celebrated African footballer and Liberian President, George Weah.

Jeff hoped that the life of one of Africa’s greatest football icon would be taped so as to inspire many lives across the continent. Weah is the only African to win the coveted football award, The Ball’on d' or, won by notable names such as Argentine Lionel Messi, Brazilian Ronaldinho and Portuguese Christiano Ronaldo

“I wish they make a movie on you one day. Some people don’t know you even won the Ballon D o,r” Jeff Koinange wished amid being surprised.

“I am a record-breaker. I was a high scorer in the Champions League. I did not go to Europe to be a ‘superstar’. I went there to play football and every day I worked hard because the game required that I perform,” Weah proudly responded.

The president went on to open up on his special relationship with former Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, who coached him at AS Monaco, in France. He even invited Wenger to Liberia and honoured him in August 2018.

Arsène adopted me as a son. He would check up on me. Sometimes I got upset but I later saw he wanted the best for me. I have a responsibility to teach those who work with me the things I have learnt from others in my journey. Three things that I learnt on the pitch are team work, hard work and respect.

Weah who ascended to Presidency in Liberia on January 22, 2018, informed Jeff that he was a symbol of peace across Liberia and worked towards erasing the past memories of the former war-torn country.

“Elections are over. Those who want to be leaders tomorrow have to work with the government, bring their ideas to the table, invest in their country. Without peace, our world would be difficult. We should not incite our people against the government.

“Without peace in a nation, there would be no development. Our past as Liberia was not a beautiful one. We witnessed the war. To sustain our people, we have to maintain peace, ditch our political differences.

He further asked his opponents to hem him build a nation.

“Politics has time and space. After campaigns, we must work together to build a nation. I am open to dialogue. I am always inviting Liberia leaders for dialogue.

Weah, who played for other top clubs such as Manchester City, AC Milan and Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea, revealed that he never dreamt of being a president. He, however, revealed that it is one thing he does with passion.

“The best part about being a President is that I get to encourage my people to be the best citizens, to communicate to them a message of peace.

“One has to be humble and persistent to achieve what they want. People criticise me but that motivates me to do the best. People insult me even as President. Some for no reason. But I want to focus on what is important. Work for the people” Weah informed.

Weah is the 25th Liberian President. He succeeded Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.