Monrovia – In preparation for the upcoming 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo and Algeria, Liberia’s national football team, the Lone Star, will commence their training today, Monday, August 19, 2024.
By: Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
Liberia, which has previously qualified for the Nations Cup twice, is aiming for a third appearance. The team has shown promising form under head coach Mario Marinica since he took over. However, despite his positive impact, issues regarding Marinica’s salary have led to tensions, with the coach reportedly threatening to resign.
Marinica has emphasized player fitness and has shown confidence in home-based players to deliver the desired results. According to a release from the Liberia Football Association (LFA) on Friday, Coach Marinica has invited 32 home-based players to begin training in preparation for the upcoming fixtures.
The LFA confirmed that an intensive training session for the senior national team will start on Monday, August 19. Liberia is scheduled to face Togo away on September 6, followed by a home match against Algeria on September 10 at the SKD Sports Complex.
As of press time, Coach Marinica and his foreign technical staff had not yet arrived in Liberia following their vacation. Deputy Coach Kelvin Sebwe is expected to oversee the first training session in Marinica’s absence.
Liberian sports journalist Ephraim Weah, based in Sweden, suggested in a Facebook post that Marinica might join the team directly in Togo rather than in Liberia. He wrote, “From all indications, it is likely that Coach Mario will fly directly to Togo from his base, allegedly as a cost-saving measure by the LFA. As of Sunday morning, sources within the FA indicate that the coach’s ticket isn’t ready, and there are options for him to fly directly to Togo for the game on September 6.”
Weah added, “Our contacts at the FA wish to remain unnamed to avoid conflict, but their information is trustworthy. All they want is the improvement of the national team. Kelvin Sebwe will lead the national team training session on Monday morning, pending the coach’s arrival in Liberia anytime this week.”
He also noted, “It would be beneficial for the national team’s preparation if the coach arrives on time. Flying directly to Togo for the game isn’t an ideal strategy.”
The following players have been invited by the national team technical staff:
Goalkeepers:
– Abdulai Koulibaly – Global Pharma
– Teddy Kollie – Watanga FC
– Tommy Songo – LISCR FC
– Sekou Bayoh – LPRC Oilers
Defenders:
– Philip Tarnue – Watanga FC
– Sabastin Teclar – LISCR FC
– Kemoh Kamara – FC Bea Mountain
– Musa Sesay – Paynesville FC
– Jah Nyanforh – Black Man Warrior
– Alexander Curtis – Watanga FC
– Natus Swen – Nimba FC
– Sekou Kanneh – Wologisi FC
– Jusu Dukuly – Watanga FC
– Mephaine Dolo – Invincible Eleven
– Tupee Darwoe – Paynesville FC
– Ayetay Yangbe – Paynesville FC
– Nelson Laomie – Watanga FC
– Victor Mantor – Zion Young Defender
Midfielders:
– Abdulai Bility – Heaven Eleven FC
– Chauncy Freeman – Watanga FC
– Osman Sean Barry – Heaven Eleven FC
– Sheku Sheriff – LISCR FC
– Nuch Zohn – Watanga FC
– Sclem Quiah – Invincible Eleven
– Marvin Blapoh – Global Pharma
– Lawrence Kumeh – Paynesville FC
Forwards:
– Terry P. Sackor – FC Fassell
– William Gibson – Heaven Eleven
– Clement Zubah – Mighty Barrolle
– Mark Yallah – FC Fassell
– Blamo Weah – Paynesville FC
– Emmanuel Sieh – Watanga FC
