Weah launches presidential bid

Former world player of the year George Weah returned home to Liberia today to launch a presidential bid.

Thousands lined the route of the former Chelsea star’s motorcade from the airport, cheering and beating drums – welcoming him as much as a hoped-for national saviour as an African sports legend.

“My president is waiting!” shouted one woman, Louise Sorwon, in what looked like a victory parade on the main street of the battered capital, Monrovia.

“The politicians in this country have failed us, lied to us, killed our brothers and sisters; our youths are suffering; they have no food to eat, no work to do,” Sorwon said. “So Weah can deliver the goods.”

Honoured as Fifa’s world player of the year in 1995, Weah became a Unicef goodwill ambassador two years later.

He has worked with the United Nations agency to help fight the spread of HIV/Aids in Africa through education and to promote vocational training initiatives to rehabilitate child soldiers from African countries, specifically Liberia.

Weah left Monrovia at 20 to pursue a professional football career in Europe, which included a highly successful spell at AC Milan. But he hasn’t stayed away, and his efforts have prompted former South African president Nelson Mandela to call him the “African Pride”.

“I ask Liberians to pray so that God will bring peace, and stability and bring about unification to ourselves,” Weah said after attending a brief church service immediately upon his arrival.

Besides his anti-war efforts and trying to help child soldiers, Weah has served as the Liberian men’s national team coach, star player and sponsor, providing charter flights for the team to play its matches.

Elections are set for next year.