Monrovia – After 39 years, Brazilian football coach Paulo Souza Campos has returned to Liberia, rekindling his connection with the country’s national team. Campos, who first took charge of the Lone Star in 1986, is back to offer his expertise and contribute to the development of Liberian football.
By Wleh Bedell, contributing writer
In the mid-1980s, Campos was at the helm as Liberia’s football scene was evolving, with the country’s new “spiritual home” of football, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium, under construction. His appointment was met with high hopes, as many saw his arrival as a step toward the growth of Liberian football.
Though Campos’ early tenure saw Liberian football legends like George Weah and James Debbah playing in an understudy role, the team made significant strides.
One memorable moment from his first spell was the Lone Star’s 0-0 draw with Guinea Sylli National, marking the opening of the SKD. However, the team was defeated 2-0 by Ivory Coast in a highly anticipated match, despite a strong crowd turnout.
After a long absence, Campos returned to Liberia this Tuesday, greeted by Advocate Civicus Barsi-Giah, a former player, who helped ensure his safe arrival. Campos’ return is seen as a major event, with excitement surrounding the prospect of him sharing his wealth of football knowledge.
Former president George Weah, who played under Campos, shared how the coach had expressed a long-standing desire to return to Liberia. Although Weah, now no longer in office, could not directly facilitate Campos’ return, he offered his support. “He really wanted to come back. Since things didn’t work out with the federation, he decided to visit me instead because we hadn’t seen each other for such a long time,” Weah explained.
Weah also credited Cassell Anthony Kouh for playing a key role in bringing Campos back to Liberia. During his month-long visit, Campos is expected to engage with young players, sharing his expertise with teams like Little Gove and FC Fassell. Weah emphasized that the aim was not for Campos to dominate, but to pass on the invaluable skills and knowledge he imparted to the current generation of Liberian footballers.
With his return, Campos offers a unique opportunity for Liberia’s emerging football talents to learn from one of the key figures in the country’s football history.
