Monrovia—Liberia’s national football team, the Lonestar, will host Togo at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in a crucial match for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification. 

By: Christopher C Walker christopherc.walker@frontpageafriaconline.com 0777898224/0886723075

The visitors, currently sitting in third place in Group E with two points from their first four matches, are looking to revive their qualification hopes after a challenging start. 

In contrast, Liberia sit at the bottom in the group with just one point and have already been eliminated from contention.

Liberia’s recent performance in the AFCON qualifiers has been disappointing, with the team suffering back-to-back defeats against Equatorial Guinea in rounds three and four respectively. 

This marks the tenth consecutive failure for the Lonestar to qualify for the AFCON since their last appearance in the 2001-02 season, where they exited in the group stage.

Despite the setback in AFCON qualifying, Liberia have shown promise in other competitions, currently sitting third in their CAF World Cup qualifying group, just one point behind Namibia. Under interim coach Thomas Kojo, the team recently triumphed over Sierra Leone in the first round of the African Nations Championship qualifiers.

In a press conference held on Monday, Coach Kojo expressed optimism ahead of the match against Togo, emphasizing the need for mental strength in his players. 

“While our qualification chances may seem slim, we are prepared to give our best against Togo,” he stated. “Our objective is to win and make Liberians proud of the national team.”

Liberia’s record at home has been lackluster, with only one win in their last six matches. However, they are determined to turn things around against their regional rivals.

On the other hand, Togo enters the match seeking redemption after a disappointing 5-1 loss to Algeria followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat to the same team. 

The Sparrowhawks need a victory over Liberia to keep their qualification hopes alive, especially with Algeria facing Equatorial Guinea in another crucial matchup in Group E.

Adding to Togo’s challenges, coach Dare Nibombe has faced difficulties assembling a full squad, with only 12 of the 25 players called up reporting for duty by Monday. Key absences include Mansour Ouro-Tagba, who withdrew to focus on club commitments in Germany, and Khaled Narey, who declined the national team call-up for personal reasons.

Both teams have struggled with consistency recently, making this match a closely contested affair without a clear favorite. The previous encounter between Liberia and Togo ended in a 1-1 draw, highlighting the competitive nature of this rivalry. 

Kick-off is scheduled for later today, and the match promises to be an exciting showdown as both teams seek to make their mark in this significant qualifying campaign.

Monrovia – A Liberian delegation of officials and local players has departed from the country for Morocco to honor their final African Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

By: Christopher C. Walker christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com 0777898224/0886723075

Liberia, although with the remotest chance of qualifying from their group, will be playing for pride and a record as they sit at the bottom of a group that comprises Morocco and South Africa.

The Lone Star, who are at the bottom of the group, will face the Atlas Lions on September 9 away from home. The Liberian side secured only one point from three games following a draw away from home to South Africa and defeats at home to Morocco and South Africa.

According to the Liberia Football Association, local players and the technical staff headed by Ansu Keita left the country on the morning of September 6, 2023, Wednesday.

The members of the delegation are as follows: Head Coach Ansu Keita, Assistant Coach Cooper Sannah, Trainer George Gebro, Goalkeeper Trainer Nathaniel Sherman, Team Doctor Torsou Jallabah, Administrative Manager Sabastian Collins, Kit Manager Tommy Johnson, and Abraham Kaba. Meanwhile, overseas players will join the team in Morocco from their various bases.

Addressing the media before the team’s departure, Lone Star Coach Ansu Keita said he is aware that Liberia does not have a chance of qualifying for the Nations Cup. However, his team will give a good account of themselves against Morocco.

“The game will be a very tough one, but we are prepared for it because it’s a very important game for us,” Keita told the media.

Keita said the Morocco game will be used to integrate players into his style of play and identify players he wants to use in the World Cup qualifiers.

“We are not going to Morocco just for traveling; I can assure you we are going to play. We are not afraid of the name Morocco; we will face them and we will wait for the result of the game. We are going for a football result, which is either win, lose, or draw, and we are going to perform and will do everything to bring up a surprise in Morocco,” the Lone Star coach said.

He said the players selected for the match were chosen based on what he wants from the player and his plan for each game. According to the Lone Star coach, those selected for the game against Morocco were chosen independently because he and his technical staff feel they can deliver for the Liberian people.

The Lone Star coach disclosed that several players who were invited for the clash in North Africa have pulled out of the team due to various reasons.

“For the selection, you saw some names on the list; unfortunately, some of the players got injured during their club’s games – the likes of Kpah Sherman and Mohammed Kamara. We tried to replace Sherman with Christopher Jackson and Sylvanus Nimely for Mohammed Kamara, but due to visa issues, Nimely can’t make it, and we contacted Justine Salmon. He is willing to come, but he got a knock also, and his club doctor is looking at it; we will see what happens.”

Speaking about the inclusion of 16-year-old Saah Moses in the national team, Keita said the youngster has the talent to play for any team in the world.

“I was convinced that Moses is ready during the third division play-off and the games in the Paynesville cup. He overly convinced me that he is ready because I told him he needs to play in the first or second division. On the local national team, he is the best, and no one can argue it,” he said as he praised the Discovery SA midfielder.

𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒

Boison Wyenneh

Emmanuel Denneah

Ashley Williams

𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒

Arago Jamal

Sampson Dweh

Brem Soumoaro

Mark Pabai

Jeremy Saygbe

Kemoh Kamara

𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒

Murphy Oscar Dorley

Nohan Kenneh

Armah Vaikainah

Mohamed Sangare

Seth Hellberg

Albert Korvah

Danesius Harmon

Devine Teah

Abdulai Bility

Kertu Jerbo

Saah Moses

𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒

William Jebor

Christopher Jackson

Monrovia – Liberia needed a bucket of sweat to beat Djibouti 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the Stade National El-Hadj Hassan Gouled Aptidon in Djibouti City on March 24. South Africa-based Anthony Snothi Laffor scored in the 57th minute to move Liberia leveled with Togo, who play Tunisia in Tunis on March 25, on six points in Group A.

At half time, Liberians, who followed the live commentary on UNMIL Radio from Djibouti, were unpleased with the performance. “We are not anticipating a draw. These guys [Djibouti] are elephant meat. Everybody can be cutting the meat and you go there and can’t get a piece. It means you are very lazy.

“If Lone Star gives us a draw, we will be very disappointed in the entire football team. We don’t need a draw. Another thing is that not every foreign-based player is a professional player. You become professional player based on the league you play in,” said Ben Roberts from 12th Street Sinkor. But back from the break, head coach James Salinsa Debbah, who opted for a four-four-two formation, replaced Patrick ‘Ronaldinho’ Wleh of Selangor FA in Malaysia with Kpah Sherman of Santos FC in South Africa.

And it was a Sherman solo run that won a corner throw, which was taken by Israel-based defender Gizzie Dorbor that led to Laffor’s goal. Liberia last won an Afcon qualifier away when Isaac Tondo scored twice (first and 61st minutes) in a 2-0 win over Mauritius at the Stade Anjalay on June 16, 2001 in a 2002 Afcon qualifier.

And Laffor, who arrived few hours to kick-off due to Mamelodi Sundowns’ Caf Champions League 1-1 draw away to AC Leopards of Congo on March 19, was pleased to have collected three points.

“I feel very good, especially for my travels to get here. Today’s game was very important to the team and the Liberian people. I just want to say thank you to my teammates for the support today. I’ve been away from the team but the coaches gave me an opportunity because of the belief they had in me,” said Laffor, who scored his third international goal in more than 30 caps. As a captain, Laffor endured the wrath of media for his lack of goals, having scored 38 goals in 147 appearances for Jomo Cosmos and Supersport United in South Africa.

After more than 20 appearances with two goals, Laffor swapped the famous #14 jersey worn by the legendary George Weah for the #18 shirt and scored in the 50th minute in a 2-0 win over Uganda in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) sports complex on March 24, 2013. Just as he did three years ago, Laffor dedicated the goal and victory to Liberians.

“I just want to give it to the Liberian people for believing in me and us. I want to say thank you to Musa Hassan Bility and the technical staff. They really did well for us today,” he told UNMIL Radio. On October 13, 2015, William Jebor of SD Ponferradina in Spain helped Liberia to break a 14-year record of having not won a World Cup qualifier away with a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Guinea Bissau in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Bissau.

Jerbo played no part in Thursday’s historic win but should be available for the second leg at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in Monrovia on March 29. Midfielders Tonia Tisdell of Karsiyaka Karabükspor in Turkey and Melvin George of Hantharwady United FC in Myanmar didn’t make the trip due to unexplained reasons. But Debbah may have been undeterred by their absence given the return of midfielders Theo Weeks of Ermis Aradippou in Cyprus and Dulee Johnson of Molde FK in Norway.

Defender Omega Roberts of FK Donji Srem Pecinci in Serbia, who last played in a 2-2 draw with Nigeria in a 2013 Afcon qualifier on September 8, 2012 at the SKD, didn’t make the 18-man squad released by the technical staff although he was in Djibouti. The odds did point to an away victory with Djibouti given 11.75 and Liberia given 1.07 and Debbah is now looking ahead to the return leg.

“Were you expecting more than one goal? Three points is three points regardless of how many goals you win with. I am happy we took the three points and that’s the most important thing. “Now we know our opponents. We know what kind of system we are going to play with [in Monrovia]. That is what made the game very difficult for us because we didn’t know who we were going up against but we will start preparing from tonight,” Debbah told UNMIL Radio’s Hilary Justine Colnoe in Djibouti City. 

Djibouti have now lost 26 matches (friendlies, World Cup and Afcon qualifiers) played between May 31, 2008 to present at home and away and another defeat is imminent. They drew 1-1 with Sudan at home in a friendly on January 4, 2009 in their only positive result.   

Djibouti lost their group matches in the 2015 Council for East and Central African Football Associations (Cecafa Cup) in Ethiopia, 2-0 to South Sudan on November 23; 3-0 to Malawi on November 25 and 4-0 to Sudan on November 27.  They have never qualified for any major international competition while Liberia participated in the finals of the 1996 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations.

Liberia: Tommy Song’o, Solomon Grimes, Gizzie Dorbor, Teah Dennis Dirkir Glay, Theo Weeks Lewis, Anthony Laffor (Sekou Konneh 70’), Zah Krangar (Dulee Johnson 65’), Dioh Williams, Sam Johnson and Patrick Wleh (Kpah Sherman 53’).

Unused substitutes: Gallay James, Alvin Maccornel, Trokon Zeon and Alsény Keita. Coach James Debbah

Match officials: Idris Mehammed Osman, center referee; Angesom Ogbamariam, assistant referee #1 and Berhe O’michael, assistant referee #2.

Reporting: Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com