MONROVIA – After months of crippling delays, protests, legal appeals, and administrative boardroom battles, the 2025/26 Liberia Football Association (LFA) Upper Women’s League season will finally reach its climax on Friday, July 10, when defending champions Determine Girls clash with hungry title challengers Shaita Angels FC at the Tusa Field in Gardnerville.
By: Christopher C. Walker
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Determine Girls enter the final fixture sitting precariously at the top of the standings with 57 points, requiring just a draw to retain their league crown. Shaita Angels, biting at their heels with 56 points, face a strict must-win scenario to secure the first upper league title in their club’s history.
Beyond domestic bragging rights, Friday’s victor will pocket a massive US100,000 in club support funds from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to prepare for continental play, alongside US25,000 in prize money from the LFA.
In total, the champions will walk away with a US$125,000 cash and the golden ticket to represent Liberia in the upcoming CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
The thrilling title race has unfortunately been overshadowed by months of bitter legal disputes regarding the eligibility of three foreign players registered by Shaita Angels.
On May 25, the Football House released an updated league table reflecting a series of explosive decisions from the LFA Grievance and Disciplinary Committee.
The decisions followed complaints filed by Determine Girls, World Girls, Small Town FC, and Ravia Angels involving matches against Shaita Angels and Kneeling Warriors.
The initial rulings docked points from Shaita Angels, a move that threatened to completely derail their championship ambitions.
Shaita Angels immediately fought back, launching an urgent appeal.
As the administrative chaos unfolded, the LFA announced on May 26 that the scheduled Round 22 fixture between the two giants—originally set for May 27 was postponed.
The logjam also forced the rescheduling of the prestigious Orange Cup final.
However, the LFA Appeals Committee ultimately threw out the disciplinary ruling, restoring all contested points and goals to Shaita Angels and dramatically breathing life back into the title race.
The Appeals Committee ruled that the complaint filed by Ravia Angels FC regarding players Kaddy Jarju, Z. Mary Nunoo, and Comfort Osei Frimpong had been submitted well outside the mandatory ten-day deadline required under Article 13.2-1 of the LFA regulations, rendering it procedurally invalid.
The Committee further held that once the LFA Connect System approves a player’s registration, clubs are legally entitled to rely on that approval unless clear evidence of fraud or deliberate misconduct is proven.
The landmark decision restored Shaita Angels to second place with their championship destiny back in their own hands.
Chronic Postponements
Even after the legal dust settled, setting a date proved difficult. Following the Appeals Committee’s ruling, the LFA initially scheduled the decisive match for July 8. The Upper Women’s League official media pages heavily promoted the encounter as a “Title Decider” under the bold slogan: “One match, One champion, One final battle.”
Yet,the Football House shifted the goalposts once more, finally locking in Friday, July 10, at 4:00 PM at the Tusa Field. The match has now been postponed more than twice throughout the course of this single dispute, injecting maximum drama into what has already become the most controversial and competitive season in recent Liberian women’s football history.
Shaita Eyes Historic Breakthrough
For Shaita Angels, Friday’s encounter is a date with destiny. A victory would shatter the long-standing duopoly of Determine Girls and World Girls, firmly establishing Shaita among the elite echelons of the local game.
Head Coach Arab Fofana insists his side is mentally equipped for the biggest match in the club’s history.
“We are one hundred percent prepared. From the day we entered the second phase of the league, we knew this moment would come,” Fofana told FrontPageAfrica following an intense training session.
“We started preparations from our twentieth game all the way to this final match. We know Determine Girls are the defending champions. When you meet champions, it is always difficult because they have an immense amount of experience in their squad.”
Fofana admitted that the administrative saga tested his team’s psychological resolve, but believes they emerged from the fire stronger.
“The past few weeks have been incredibly difficult. What we did as a technical team was keep the players focused at a very high level so nothing would distract them from the mentality we are building for this game and the FA Cup final,” Fofana noted.
Student Meets Master
Adding a fascinating subplot to the tactical battle is Fofana’s deep history with Determine Girls Head Coach Robert Lartey. Fofana previously played under Lartey and still regards the veteran tactician as a mentor.
“Robert Lartey is like a big brother and a father to me because I played under his guidance,” Fofana said with a smile. “But on Friday, I am going against him with everything I’ve got. I want him to see that his son and former player has grown up.”
Players Ready for Glory
Shaita Angels Captain Francisca Howe credited the team’s historic run to newfound locker-room solidarity.
“The difference between last season and this season is that we are far more unified as a team now and genuinely willing to fight for one another,” Howe said. “This has been our best season ever.”
The skipper emphasized that the playing body is fully aware of the life-changing stakes on the line.
“Winning the league gives us the coveted opportunity to represent Liberia in CAF club competitions,” Howe added. “All I can say to our fans is to expect a premium, high-octane performance from us. At the blast of the final whistle, we expect to be crowned champions.”
Ninety Minutes Left
For Determine Girls, Friday offers the chance to further cement their dynasty as the undisputed powerhouse of Liberian women’s football. For Shaita Angels, it is a historic opportunity to write the ultimate underdog story.
