Boakai Reaches Out to Aging Football Icon JNJ | Politics

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has paid tribute to one of Liberia’s most celebrated football pioneers, legendary former Lone Star player and coach Josiah Nils Johnson, affectionately known as “JNJ,” during a courtesy visit to his Gardnersville residence on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

The visit brought the country’s highest office to the doorstep of a man whose name is deeply woven into Liberia’s football history, as President Boakai sought to recognize JNJ’s decades of service to the national team and the development of sports in Liberia.

Speaking to Johnson and members of his family, President Boakai said honoring individuals who laid the foundation for Liberian sports is a national responsibility.

“I admire the people who have contributed to the development of sports in Liberia. That is why I am here today to recognize and give back to those who have made contributions to the Liberian sporting community,” President Boakai said.

The President acknowledged that his own demanding public responsibilities had prevented him from participating extensively in competitive sports during his youth, but said his passion for athletics and youth development remained strong.

Drawing on the importance of history and experience, President Boakai stressed that the contributions of past generations must not be forgotten.

“If you don’t remember the past, there is no way you can get prepared for the future,” he said.

President Boakai assured JNJ and his family that the veteran footballer’s contributions to Liberia had not gone unnoticed.

“We have not forgotten you. The country has not forgotten,” Boakai said. “We remember your invaluable contributions to this country that you gave without adequate compensation. We appreciate you.”

During the visit, the President also made a personal contribution toward the veteran sportsman’s well-being and pledged immediate government support to help address some of the challenges facing him, including improvements to his home.

Born in Botaw, Sinoe County, in July 1939, Josiah N. Johnson became one of the prominent figures of Liberia’s golden era of football.

After playing for club sides Youth Leaders and Connections, Johnson established himself as a midfield force at Mighty Barrolle, where he played for 12 years, from 1959 to 1971. During the same period, he served in the Special Security Service (SSS).

His contribution to Liberian football extended to the international stage, as he represented the national team, Lone Star, from 1958 to 1971.

After ending his playing career, Johnson transitioned into coaching following advanced coaching training in West Germany.

He subsequently became head coach of the Lone Star, serving from 1971 to 1978.

Among the defining moments of his coaching career was Liberia’s historic 3-1 victory over Ghana, one of the region’s football powerhouses.

He also guided the national team through successful campaigns in the 1979 Six-Nation Tournament, further cementing his place in Liberia’s football history.

Following his tenure as Lone Star head coach, Johnson accepted an assistant coaching role under renowned German manager Bert Trautmann, helping provide tactical continuity within the national team setup.

His service to Liberia later extended beyond football, as he served as Deputy Minister of Sports.

For JNJ, the President’s visit was more than a courtesy call. It was a deeply emotional recognition of a lifetime devoted to Liberian football.

Visibly moved by the gesture, the veteran coach expressed appreciation to President Boakai for taking the time to visit him and his family.

“Here your flower is given to you,” JNJ said, invoking the familiar sentiment that people deserve recognition and appreciation while they are still alive.

He said the visit would hold a special place in his family’s history.

“My entire family is appreciative of your visit and your leadership. We are grateful for this visit, and it’s going to be remembered throughout my family history.”

For a football legend whose playing and coaching years helped shape generations of Liberian footballers, the presidential visit offered a powerful message: the men and women who built Liberia’s sporting tradition should not be forgotten as the country looks toward the future.