Onandi Lowe's absence frustrates Portmore
By AINSLEY WALTERS, Freelance Writer
Waterhouse's Jermaine Grey (right) runs to the ball ahead of Portmore United's Onandi Lowe (left) during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League football match at Drewsland Mini Stadium on January 8, 2006. Waterhouse won 3-1. - Andrew Smith
FORMER national striker Onandi Lowe is up to his old tricks at National Premier League outfit Portmore United.
The towering striker, who seemed headed for the big times in England when signing for Premier-ship Coventry City but left Britain after being cleared of cocaine trafficking charges, has not played for Portmore United since September 24 when coming on as a second-half substitute against champions Waterhouse at Drewsland.
Horace Reid, Portmore's technical director and former Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary, on Sunday said Lowe did not turn up for training for the club's last two games.
"Our standards are pretty high and unless people live up to them they will struggle," said Reid. "Those standards have been in existence for years. If you miss a session, you miss a game once the excuse is inadequate.
Discipline
"Discipline has to supercede results and we won't build a club based on results," Reid pointed out.
Portmore is Lowe's second stop since returning to the island. He was signed amid much fanfare to his former club, Arnett Gardens, for the 2004-05 NPL season but was among several senior players shown the door midway a miserable season for the Trench Town club.
In what was seen as a surprise signing by football pundits, considering that his salary was to be paid by former JFF president Horace Burrell's Captain's Bakery, with who he had several run-ins as a national player, Lowe was snapped up by then Premier League champions Portmore United when the transfer window reopened in January of 2005.
It was said that Portmore, who were due to compete in the Caribbean Club Championships, needed a player of Lowe's calibre and reputation against regional competition.
However, Portmore were booted by Mexico's Club America over two legs.
Coach Paul Young, who had just taken over the reins as head coach at Portmore from Lenny Hyde when Lowe arrived, made no bones then in saying the former national striker would not be treated differently from any other player at the club.
Young yesterday underlined the club's stance.
"It's the same situation," he said. "Nothing has changed. I've not seen him at training. When we got 'Nandi' last year, we told him if he doesn't turn up, he doesn't play.
"He's fined for every session missed, but apparently the fine is not a big deal to him," said Young, a former national player now interim Reggae Boyz assistant coach.
The Portmore coach said he's not surprised by Lowe's behaviour.
"We told him of our expectations but we had a Plan B in place," he said. "Everywhere he goes, there's always a problem with discipline and not attending sessions. Even at Rushden and Diamonds, sometimes he trained and another time he didn't but that won't happen at Portmore."
Days numbered
Young hinted that Lowe's days as a Portmore player could be limited.
"We'll look into that and make the right decision at the right time," he said. "We won't sit and wait for Onandi Lowe. We have to keep on doing our work.
"I just believe at times he wants to do whatever he wants to and that's not how life is. No player is bigger than the club," Young added.
Lowe's lack of form won't help his cause either.
Since signing for Portmore, he has had only a few goals and hasn't hit the back of the net in the two matches when he appeared in this new Premiership season - as a starter against August Town and a second half sub against Waterhouse.
His only goals were recorded on a pre-season tour of Antigua and a promotional friendly match against promoted neighbours Naggo Head at Ferdie Neita Park.
