Monrovia – Liberia’s national football team stand-in coach, Thomas Kojo, has announced a 24-man squad for the upcoming double-header World Cup qualifiers against Tunisia and São Tomé.
By Christopher Walker, [email protected]
The squad, which includes both professional and locally based players, will play Tunisia on March 19 and São Tomé on March 24 at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex.
The squad consists of 13 foreign-based players and 11 local-based players, with all three goalkeepers being local. Among the new inclusions are midfielder Solomon Tweh, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Al Raed, and Bryant Farkarlun, who represents Austin FC in Major League Soccer. Also making a return to the team is Augustine Otis, who has been away for several years.
Otis’ inclusion follows his impressive form for Egyptian club Tersana SC, where he has scored 11 goals this season. This marks his return to the national team after nearly a five-year absence, having last featured for Liberia in 2019.
Fresh faces in the squad include Nicholas Andrews, Josiah Cea, Jeygbey Konneh, and Bryan Farkarlun, all set for their senior national team debuts.
The squad will, however, miss key players such as midfielder Mo Sangaré, forward Emmanuel Ernest, and Brem M. Soumaoro. Goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara also opted out due to personal reasons.
Liberia, currently sitting third in their World Cup qualifying group with seven points, will rely heavily on the support of home fans to secure the needed six points from these fixtures. The team’s mixed blend of experienced internationals and rising talents aims to strengthen Liberia’s standing in the competition.
Coach Kojo has called on Liberians to show up in large numbers to support the team, hoping that the crowd will serve as motivation for the players to deliver the much-needed results.
In other news, Liberia’s U-17 national team drew 1-1 against Tanzania’s U-17 side in an international friendly in Egypt, though they suffered a 6-1 defeat to Egypt’s U-17 team. Despite the setbacks, officials of the talent development scheme (TDS) view the performance as a positive start for the country’s youth football program.
Full Squad List:
Goalkeepers:
- Tommy Songo (LISCR FC)
- Abdoulai Koulibaly (Global Pharma)
- Junior Yeanay (Wologisi)
Defenders:
- Sampson Dweh (Viktoria Plzen)
- Prince Balde (Rosengard)
- Mark Pabai (FC Koper)
- Sebastin Teclar (LISCR FC)
- Nelson Laomie (Watanza FC)
- Eugene Care (Paynesville FC)
Midfielders:
- Oscar Dorley (Slavia Prague)
- Divine Teah (Slavia Prague)
- Salomon Tweh (Al Raed)
- Sheikh Sesay (Gaborone United)
- Justin Salmon (Egersund)
- Nohan Kenneh (Ross County)
- Morris Konneh (LISCR FC)
- Abdulai Bility (Heaven XI)
- Josiah Cea (FC Fassell)
Forwards:
- Bryant Farkarlun (Austin FC)
- Augustine Otis (Tersana)
- Edward Leddlum (ASO Chlef)
- Ayoub Kosiak (Beerschot)
- William Gibson (Heaven XI)
- Nicolas Andrews (Heaven XI)