All Hail King George "the" Weah

Destiny can not be denied. Even when it seems delayed, fret not. Brace yourself, sharpen your skills, increase your capacity, continue to believe, work towards your destiny and have faith, because you cannot be denied. It shall come to pass. - Grace Nsan

It was Angela Duckworth, a 2013 MacArthur Fellow and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania who proposed that, "the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and perseverance, which she calls grit. 

Indeed, the legendary Liberian striker, philanthropist, statesman, multiple award winner, senator, husband, father and classic gentleman, George Oppong Weah must have understood this hypothesis, and as such, availed himself with the opportunity of going through the process and discipline of becoming. 

The only player to have won the World, European and African Footballer of the Year, "Mister George" as he is fondly called, was officially announced as President-Elect, by Liberia's Election Commission. 

This is not his first shot at the presidency, nor was it his first attempt at partisan politics. 

Weah first became known in Liberia and around the world in the 1990s for being one of the best footballers of his generation. He played for the likes of Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Chelsea, and was the first African player to win the prestigious FIFA World Player award and Ballon d’Or.

In 2003, the same year that Liberia’s brutal civil war ended, Weah retired from football. In 2005, as the country held its first post-war elections, he put his name forwards to contest for the presidency.

Off the back of his popularity as a footballer, financier and chief supporter of the Liberia national team, and despite accusations of his lack of experience by his opponents, Weah won the first round with 28%. In the controversial run-off against Ellen Sirleaf, he lost to the former World Bank official amidst strong allegations of irregularities and an international conspiracy in favor of his opponent.

Weah’s latest campaign was not without controversy, however. He has drawn some criticism for picking Jewel Howard-Taylor, ex-wife of Charles Taylor, as his vice-president. And his opponent, the incumbent Vice President, went to court after the first round which Weah won in October. the legal challenge from Joseph Boakai delayed the run-off elections for several weeks. 

With the ruling from the Supreme Court, the run-off elections went ahead, the National Elections Commission announced that Weah won 61.5% of the run-off vote. It said that with 98.1% of all votes counted, Boakai had only secured 38.5% support.

Following his victory, Weah wrote on his twitter account; 

"My fellow Liberians, I deeply feel the emotion of all the nation. I measure the importance and the responsibility of the immense task which I embrace today. Change is on." 

With this iconic victory, a revolution is about to his African football and politics. The likes of Kalusha Bwalya, Nwankwo Kanu, Samuel Eto'o, Austin Okocha, Abedi Pele, Didier Drogba and others should start consulting the drawing board. 

All Hail King George the Weah.

Congratulations Mister George!

Congratulations President George Weah!!

Congratulations Liberia!!!