Monrovia – The Liberia senior women’s national football team has departed for the WAFU Zone A Women’s Tournament in Mauritania amid growing controversy over the absence of star striker Edwardline Decontee Jackson.
By Christopher Walker, [email protected]
Jackson, 19, who was top scorer at the 2024 WAFU U20 Tournament in Senegal and recently netted 29 goals in the local league, was not included in the traveling squad. Her omission has triggered debate among football fans and stakeholders.
National team head coach Selam Kebede told journalists that multiple efforts were made to contact Jackson after training began in April, but the player remained unreachable. “We called her, her club president, her coach, and even sent emails,” said Kebede. “I personally called her about 19 times.”
Kebede praised Jackson’s talent but emphasized character and commitment as key values for national team selection. “Talent without character is nothing. In the national team, respect is everything,” she said.
However, Senior Female Professional club president Emmett Glasco strongly rejected the coach’s version of events. “At no time did the coach or any national team official contact us regarding Jackson,” he said. Glasco added that the team received an official invitation listing three players – Choice Tokpah, Bendu Yantay, and Cynthia Weah – with Jackson not included.
The conflicting accounts have deepened public scrutiny over the team’s selection process. While the squad now focuses on competing in Mauritania, questions over Jackson’s exclusion continue to dominate discussions in Liberia’s football community.