Monrovia– The head coach of the Liberia Women’s National Football Team, Selam Kebede, says the upcoming West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone A Women’s Championship in Mauritania (May 18–31, 2025) will serve as a critical development phase for her young squad, rather than a pursuit of short-term victories.
By Christopher C. Walker; [email protected]
Speaking ahead of the team’s departure for Nouakchott on Thursday, May 15, Kebede stressed that her focus is on building a competitive and cohesive team for the future, not just immediate results against teams like Mauritania, Guinea, Senegal, and Mali.
“This tournament is preparation,” Kebede said. “My focus is not on results. I signed a four-year deal with the Liberia Football Association to build a new national team. This is a good opportunity to assess our strengths and weaknesses.”
The 21-player squad selected includes a few experienced players, but is largely made up of young talents under the age of 26. Kebede believes this signals a promising future for women’s football in Liberia and sees potential for the team to qualify for bigger tournaments like the Africa Women Cup of Nations and even the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the coming years.
“While we aim to compete, our primary goal here is to build a strong foundation,” she said. “We want to give these players vital international exposure, test tactical approaches, and develop team chemistry.”
The WAFU tournament will allow the coaching staff to evaluate talent, integrate young players into the senior team, and refine tactics. Mistakes made during matches will be seen as learning opportunities rather than failures.
“This is about the long-term. We’re investing in the future,” Kebede added. “Each match in Mauritania will help us shape a more resilient and competitive national team.”
Kebede’s approach aligns with the Liberia Football Association’s strategic vision to professionalize women’s football and focus on grassroots development.
Liberia has been drawn into Group A alongside host Mauritania, Guinea Bissau, and Mali. While improvement on their third-place finish in the 2020 edition is a target, Kebede reiterates that development takes priority.