Monrovia – Liberia’s ambition to reposition itself on the global football map gained fresh momentum on Monday, March 2, 2026, as the 2026 Elite U-19 Scouting Tournament officially kicked off at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex.
By: Christopher C. Walker | 0777898224 / 0886723075 | [email protected]
The four-day grassroots showcase, running from March 2–5, has drawn an impressive delegation of European scouts and agents a rare sight on Liberian soil and a strong signal of renewed international interest in the country’s emerging talent.
At the center of the initiative is sports entrepreneur Emma Zawadi Jarnyneh, head of Poise Sports Management, working in collaboration with D&S Sports Management.
Jarnyneh, also known in entertainment circles as the manager of top Liberian artist JYZNO, said the objective is simple but bold to restore Liberia’s pathway to elite European football.
“We do have players on the global stage,” Jarnyneh said. “But we don’t currently have Liberians in the Premier League or Spain’s La Liga. The goal is to bring scouts here to see what we have to expose our players to the world.”
European Heavyweights on Liberian Soil
In a major credibility boost for the local game, Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade is represented by scout Nikola Vracevic.
Also present are UK-based agent Dimitri Strava of D&S Agency and Italian representative Giovanni Gullo on behalf of French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice.
Adding further weight to the delegation is former Nigerian international Seyi Olofinjana, now a football executive linked to recruitment structures associated with Chelsea FC and RC Strasbourg, alongside UK-based agent Moyassar Fedil.
The scouts, traveling from Serbia, France, Belgium, and England, are assessing dozens of Liberia’s most promising U-19 prospects many of whom are experiencing international exposure for the first time.
Managing Expectations
Despite the excitement, organizers are tempering expectations regarding immediate transfers.
“We want to minimize the pressure of expecting something exceptional immediately,” Jarnyneh emphasized. “We’re looking at players who can develop. We see the raw talent and the potential to grow.”
The tournament targets players born between 2008 and 2010, making age eligibility a crucial factor.
Under international transfer regulations, players under 18 cannot move freely to European clubs, meaning scouts often monitor younger prospects for future windows.
“If you scout a 15-year-old today, they cannot move immediately,” she explained. “They must wait until they’re 18. But if an 18-year-old fits within a transfer window, discussions can happen right away.”
A Departure from the Past
Liberia has hosted scouting events before, often characterized by promises that failed to materialize into overseas contracts. Jarnyneh insists this edition is different, disclosing that one player has already caught the eye of the visitors.
“So far, conversations have been very decent,” she said. “There’s already one player identified. We still have a few more days to go.”
She pointed to three historical barriers that have stalled player transfers in the past,Age restrictions under FIFA international transfer rules, Poor negotiations regarding training compensation and Immediate financial demands that undermine long-term development.
“My responsibility is to make sure they take at least one player. No less than one,” she said firmly. “I won’t allow them to walk away without selecting someone.”
Day One Match Results
The opening day at the SKD Sports Complex lived up to the hype, with high-scoring affairs and clinical defensive displays.
In the first match Discoveries SA and Cece United played out to a 1-1 draw.
Watanga Academy sealed a 1-0 win over Bendu FC.
While in the third game of the day Des Monines United trashed Soul Clinic Athletic 4-1.
The final match of the day witnessed Benza FC beating Wadi Academy 3-1.
Building a Sustainable Platform
Beyond immediate transfers, Jarnyneh’s long-term vision is to establish the scouting tournament as an annual fixture.
She also rejected suggestions to move the showcase to neighboring football hubs like Ghana or Nigeria.
“Liberia is my home. There’s talent here. They must come here,” she said.
As the tournament progresses, the mission for Poise Sports Management and D&S Sports Management remains clear at least one Liberian player must leave the SKD with a defined pathway to Europe.
“We’ll see at the end of the tournament,” Jarnyneh concluded.
