MONROVIA – Interim Lone Star coach Thomas Kojo has drawn sharp criticism with his latest 25-man squad for the September World Cup qualifiers, after recalling defender Kemoh Kamara, a player who has not featured in competitive football for more than six months.
By: Christopher C. Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
Kamara, once a dependable figure in Liberia’s backline, missed the entire second phase of the LFA league due to injury. His inclusion, ahead of younger defenders who have been active and in form, has left many within the local football community questioning Kojo’s judgment.
“We all respect Kamara — he’s a good player if fit. But when a coach calls someone who hasn’t played in half a year while leaving out young talents proving themselves every weekend, it tells us something isn’t right,” one local analyst told FrontPage Africa.
Old Habits, Old Problems
The decision has reignited debates around favoritism, recycling of players, and the lack of transparency in the national team selection process. Critics argue that instead of rewarding current performance, Kojo has fallen into the same pattern of leaning on familiar names despite glaring concerns over fitness and match sharpness.
For a Lone Star side desperate to build for the future, many fans believe it is a step backward. “You cannot prepare for Tunisia and Malawi with players who are not match-ready,” another fan said. “This is how we keep setting ourselves back.”
Kojo Defends Call
Unveiling the squad at a Friday news conference, Kojo defended his choices but left out several active local defenders who have been featuring consistently in the LFA league. His preference for Kamara, despite the long layoff, is expected to remain one of the talking points leading up to the qualifiers.
Lone Star 25-Man Squad for September Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Tommy Songo, Abdulai Koulibaly, Junior Yeanaye
Defenders: Prince Balde, Natus Sweh, Mark Pabai, Jusu Dukuly, Nelson Laomie, Philip Tarnue, Jah Nyanforh, Kemoh Kamara
Midfielders: Oscar Dorley, Divine Teah, Sheikh Sesay, Solomon Tweh, Nohan Kenneh, Jegbay Konneh
Attackers: Bryant Farkarlun, Edward Ledlum, Daniel Nyumah, Daniel Toe, William Gibson, Ayouba Kosiah, Solahmama Bah
The Lone Star will open their campaign on September 4 against Tunisia in Tunis, before traveling to face Malawi on September 8. Both matches are part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.
But as the team departs, questions linger: Will Kamara justify his coach’s faith, or will Kojo’s decision add more weight to the argument that Liberia continues to reward names over performances?
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
