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Liberia national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Liberia women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Liberia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) The Lone Stars
Association Liberia Football Association
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach Mario Marinică
Captain Oscar Dorley
Most caps Joe Nagbe (77)
Top scorer George Weah (18)
Home stadium SKD Stadium
FIFA code LBR
First colors
Second colors
FIFA ranking
Current 150 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 66 (July 2001)
Lowest 164 (October–November 2010)
Elo ranking
Current 120 Increase 8 (3 March 2019)
Highest 67 (March 2001)
Lowest 151 (February 2009)
First international
France Ivory Coast 0–2 Liberia 
(Abidjan, Ivory Coast; unknown date 1954)
Biggest win
 Liberia 5–0 Djibouti 
(Monrovia, Liberia; 29 March 2016)
Biggest defeat
 Ghana 6–0 Liberia 
(Accra, Ghana; 6 April 1975)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 2 (first in 1996)
Best result Group stage (1996 and 2002)

The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, represents Liberia in men's international football and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the nation produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, its football team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations just twice—in 1996 and 2002. It is a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History

African Cup of Nations

In 1965 Liberia played in first campaign 1965 qualification qualifying campaign, losing its first match 0–1 against Ivory Coast. They also won 3–2 against DR Congo however lost both returning fixtures and were eliminated in the first round. In 1967 Liberia played in 1968 qualification qualifying campaign, drawing its first match 2–2 against Guinea. They also drew against Senegal however lost both returning fixtures and were eliminated in the first round. Liberia returned to qualifying in 1976 but lost in the preliminary round to Togo, falling to defeat in both fixtures. After another absence, Liberia again joined AFCON qualifying in 1982 in the preliminary rounds but failed to progress after two draws against Gambia, losing on the away goals rule.

Liberia withdrew from qualifying for the 1984 African Cup of Nations, but the following tournament they managed to secure their first win during qualifying, a 3–1 first-leg victory over Mauritania. They failed to capitalize on this advantage, losing 3–0 in the second leg. Liberia then faced Sierra Leone and Mali during the 1988 qualification and 1990 qualification respectively, but again failed to progress. In 1992, Liberia withdrew from qualifying before playing a match (possibly due to the ongoing First Liberian Civil War), and in 1994, Liberia was put into a group with two participants that withdrew during qualifying (Tanzania and Burkina Faso) however they failed to take advantage of this and finished with zero points, having lost to Ghana twice.

In the 1996 African Cup of Nations qualification, Liberia managed to register three wins (against Togo, Tunisia and Mauritania) and four draws, which saw them finish the group in second place and qualify for their first African Cup of Nations tournament. Following the withdrawal of Nigeria, Liberia was placed in a group with Gabon and Zaire. Liberia opened the tournament with a 2–1 victory over Gabon with goals from Kelvin Sebwe and Mass Sarr Jr. but lost 2–0 to Zaire. This meant that Liberia finished bottom of the group on goal difference and failed to progress to the knock-out stages.

Liberia missed out on returning to the African Cup of Nations in 1998 as they finished one point off of qualification. In 2000, they defeated Niger in the preliminary rounds, but again failed to advance to the main tournament, this time finishing behind Algeria on goal difference.

In 2002 African Cup of Nations qualification, Liberia beat Cape Verde in the preliminary rounds, then they finished top of their group to qualify for the main tournament for the second time in their history. In the 2002 African Cup of Nations, Liberia drew their first game 1–1 with Mali (goal scored by George Weah) and drew their second game 2–2 against Algeria (goals from Prince Daye and Kelvin Sebwe), but in their final group game, needing a win against Nigeria, they lost 1–0.

FIFA World Cup

Liberia first entered the qualifying process for the FIFA World Cup in 1966, however, they withdrew in protest against the fact that too few places had been reserved for Africa and Asia, along with all fourteen other African nations that had initially entered qualifying.

Liberia next entered qualifying in 1982 against Guinea after receiving a bye in the first round. They lost 1–0 over the two legs and were eliminated. In 1986, Liberia was again eliminated without having scored a goal, falling 4–0 to Nigeria. In 1990, Liberia won its first FIFA qualifying match defeating Ghana to progress to the second round. Despite finishing second in their group, Liberia failed to advance to the final qualification round, ending two points behind group winners Egypt.

In 1998, Liberia beat Gambia in the first qualification round, but finished twelve points adrift of Tunisia in their group. In 2002, Liberia had their strongest qualifying campaign, however, a loss against Ghana in their penultimate group game gave Nigeria the opportunity to overtake them and secure the only qualification spot.

Team image

Kit supplier

Kit provider Period
Denmark Hummel 1990–1993
Italy Diadora 1994–1995
Germany Adidas 1996–1998
Liberia Weah Sports 1999–2001
Unknown 2002
Germany Adidas 2003–2004
Denmark Hummel 2004–2006
Italy Kappa 2006–2008
Germany Adidas 2008
Singapore Kubba 2009
Germany Adidas 2010–2012
Italy Erreà 2012
Indonesia SPECS 2012–2013
Spain Joma 2013–2014
Germany Adidas 2015–2020
Germany Puma 2021–present

Results and fixtures

Main article: Liberia national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2023

2024

Coaching staff

As of February 2024

Position Name
Head coach Romania Mario Marinica
Assistant coach Liberia Kelvin Sebwe
Assistant coach Liberia Harold Gbotoe
Goalkeeping coach Liberia Chris Wesseh
Fitness coach Liberia Desmond Mulbah

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics
  • Liberia Josiah Johnson (1971–78)
  • West Germany Bert Trautmann (1978–80)
  • Brazil Paulo Campos (1986)
  • Liberia Walter Pelham (1986–1990)
  • Liberia Wilfred Lardner (1990–1998)
  • Liberia Kadalah Kromah (1999–2000)
  • France Philippe Redon (2000–02)
  • Liberia Dominic George Vava (2002)
  • Liberia Kadalah Kromah (2002–04)
  • Liberia Joseph Sayon (2004–06)
  • Egypt Shawky El Din (2006)
  • Liberia Frank Jericho Nagbe (2006–08)
  • Germany Antoine Hey (2008–09)
  • Hungary Bertalan Bicskei (2010–11)
  • Italy Roberto Landi (2011–12)
  • Liberia Thomas Kojo (2012)
  • Liberia Kaetu Smith (2012)
  • Liberia Frank Jericho Nagbe (2013)
  • Liberia Thomas Kojo (2013)
  • Liberia James Debbah (2013–17)
  • Liberia Thomas Kojo (2018)
  • England Peter Butler (2019–2022)
  • Liberia Ansu Keita (2022)
  • Liberia Thomas Kojo (2022–2023)
  • Liberia Ansu Keita (2023)
  • Romania Mario Marinica (2024–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Togo and Equatorial Guinea on 6 and 9 September 2024.

Caps and goals correct as of 9 September 2024, after the match against Equatorial Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Tommy Songo (1995-04-20) 20 April 1995 (age 29) 23 0 Liberia LISCR
1GK Abdulai Koulibaly (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 29) 7 0 Liberia Global Pharma
1GK Teddy Kollie (2005-11-10) 10 November 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Liberia Watanga
2DF Sampson Dweh (2001-10-10) 10 October 2001 (age 23) 28 0 Czech Republic Viktoria Plzeň
2DF Kemoh Kamara (1995-07-03) 3 July 1995 (age 29) 20 0 Liberia Bea Mountain
2DF Sabastin Teclar (2000-02-28) 28 February 2000 (age 24) 6 0 Liberia LISCR
2DF Natus Jamel Swen (2004-11-18) 18 November 2004 (age 20) 5 0 Malta Mġarr United
2DF Philip Tarnue (2005-12-25) 25 December 2005 (age 18) 3 0 Liberia Watanga
2DF Nelson Laomie (2005-04-04) 4 April 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Liberia Watanga
2DF Musa Sesay (2007-02-08) 8 February 2007 (age 17) 0 0 Liberia LPRC Oilers
3MF Oscar Dorley (captain) (1998-07-19) 19 July 1998 (age 26) 42 3 Czech Republic Slavia Prague
3MF Mohammed Sangare (1998-12-28) 28 December 1998 (age 25) 21 3 Switzerland Bellinzona
3MF Divine Teah (2006-04-19) 19 April 2006 (age 18) 14 2 Sweden Hammarby
3MF Nohan Kenneh (2003-01-10) 10 January 2003 (age 21) 12 0 Scotland Hibernian
3MF Chauncy Freeman (2001-07-26) 26 July 2001 (age 23) 6 0 Liberia Watanga
3MF Abdulai Bility (1999-09-08) 8 September 1999 (age 25) 4 0 Liberia Heaven Eleven
3MF Lawrence Kumeh (2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 19) 4 0 Liberia Paynesville
3MF Sheku Sheriff (1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 25) 3 0 Liberia LPRC Oilers
3MF Quiah Sholee (1997-04-07) 7 April 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Liberia Invincible Eleven
4FW Peter Wilson (1996-10-09) 9 October 1996 (age 28) 16 2 Norway Jerv
4FW Terry Sackor (1993-04-01) 1 April 1993 (age 31) 9 1 Liberia Bea Mountain
4FW William Gibson (2007-11-22) 22 November 2007 (age 17) 6 1 Liberia Heaven Eleven
4FW Emmanuel Ernest (2000-12-30) 30 December 2000 (age 23) 2 0 Switzerland Aarau
4FW Emmanuel Seih (2006-10-11) 11 October 2006 (age 18) 0 0 South Africa TS Galaxy

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Emmanuel Deanneh (1995-06-20) 20 June 1995 (age 29) 1 0 Liberia Bea Mountain v.  Djibouti; 26 March 2024
GK Ashley Williams (2000-10-30) 30 October 2000 (age 24) 19 0 Liberia LISCR v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
GK Boison Wynney (1996-12-27) 27 December 1996 (age 27) 7 0 Romania Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
DF Mark Pabai (2000-09-30) 30 September 2000 (age 24) 10 0 Slovenia Koper v.  São Tomé and Príncipe; 9 June 2024
DF Joachim Adukor (1993-05-02) 2 May 1993 (age 31) 6 0 Malta Sliema Wanderers v.  Djibouti; 26 March 2024
DF Jamal Arago (1993-08-28) 28 August 1993 (age 31) 11 0 Libya Al-Ahly v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
DF Joel Johnson (1992-09-20) 20 September 1992 (age 32) 10 0 United States Charlotte Independence v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
DF Seth Hellberg (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 (age 29) 12 0 Sweden Brage v.  Morocco, 17 October 2023
MF Sheikh Sesay (2002-10-24) 24 October 2002 (age 22) 1 1 Botswana Gaborone United v.  São Tomé and Príncipe; 9 June 2024
MF Marcus Macauley (1991-10-27) 27 October 1991 (age 33) 28 5 Malaysia PDRM v.  Djibouti; 26 March 2024
MF Edward Ledlum (1999-06-15) 15 June 1999 (age 25) 10 0 Liberia Bea Mountain v.  Djibouti; 26 March 2024
MF Tonia Tisdell (1992-01-02) 2 January 1992 (age 32) 18 1 Egypt Telecom Egypt v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
MF Brem Soumaoro (1996-08-08) 8 August 1996 (age 28) 12 0 Canada York United FC v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
MF Albert Korvah (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 25) 5 0 Nigeria Rivers United v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
MF Mohammed Kamara (1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 27) 4 1 Israel Hapoel Haifa v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
MF Prince Saydee (1996-02-20) 20 February 1996 (age 28) 3 0 United States Hartford Athletic v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
MF Saah Moses Jr. (2007-07-10) 10 July 2007 (age 17) 2 0 Liberia Discoveries SA v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
FW William Jebor (1991-11-10) 10 November 1991 (age 33) 27 13 Iraq Al-Minaa v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
FW Kpah Sherman (1992-02-03) 3 February 1992 (age 32) 22 3 Malaysia Pahang v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
FW Sylvanus Nimely (1998-09-04) 4 September 1998 (age 26) 12 0 Uzbekistan Surkhon v.  Equatorial Guinea; 20 November 2023
FW Abu Kamara (1997-04-01) 1 April 1997 (age 27) 9 0 Malaysia Kuching City v.  Morocco, 17 October 2023

Records

Players in bold are still active with Liberia.

Most appearances

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Joe Nagbe 77 0 1986–2011
2 George Weah 75 18 1986–2018
3 Kelvin Sebwe 62 10 1988–2008
4 James Debbah 58 13 1986–2018
5 George Gebro 48 1 1997–2012
6 Anthony Laffor 46 5 2004–2018
7 Teah Dennis Jr. 44 1 2011–2019
Oscar Dorley 44 3 2015–present
9 Varmah Kpoto 40 1 1997–2008
10 Fallah Johnson 37 0 1995–2004
Zizi Roberts 37 9 1995–2003

Top goalscorers

Coppa UEFA 1992-93 - Napoli vs PSG - George Weah
George Weah is Liberia's top scorer with 18 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 George Weah 18 75 0.24 1986–2018
2 William Jebor 13 27 0.48 2011–present
James Debbah 13 58 0.22 1986–2018
4 Kelvin Sebwe 10 62 0.16 1988–2008
5 Zizi Roberts 9 37 0.24 1995–2003
6 Oliver Makor 8 32 0.25 1995–2008
7 Prince Daye 7 25 0.28 1996–2004
Jonathan Sogbie 7 27 0.26 1988–1998
9 Zah Rahan 6 35 0.17 2006–2017
10 Francis Doe 5 22 0.23 2004–2016
Isaac Tondo 5 22 0.23 2000–2005
Dioh Williams 5 24 0.21 2004–2016
Marcus Macauley 5 28 0.18 2011–present
Anthony Laffor 5 46 0.11 2004–2018

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to Chile 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
England 1966 Withdrew Withdrew
Mexico 1970 to Argentina 1978 Did not enter Declined participation
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 1
Mexico 1986 2 0 0 2 0 4
Italy 1990 8 3 3 2 4 3
United States 1994 Withdrew during qualifying 2 0 1 1 2 4
France 1998 Did not qualify 8 2 1 5 7 12
South Korea Japan 2002 10 6 1 3 11 2
Germany 2006 12 2 1 9 6 29
South Africa 2010 6 0 3 3 4 12
Brazil 2014 6 1 1 4 3 9
Russia 2018 4 1 1 2 4 6
Qatar 2022 8 3 0 5 8 10
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 2 1 1 5 2
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total — 0/15 – – – – – – 72 20 14 38 54 94

Africa Cup of Nations

See also: Liberia at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 2
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957 Not affiliated to CAF
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962
Ghana 1963 Did not enter
Tunisia 1965 Did not qualify
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970 Did not enter
Cameroon 1972
Egypt 1974
Ethiopia 1976 Did not qualify
Ghana 1978 Did not enter
Nigeria 1980
Libya 1982 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 1984 Withdrew
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify
Morocco 1988
Algeria 1990
Senegal 1992 Withdrew
Tunisia 1994 Did not qualify
South Africa 1996 Group stage 13th 2 1 0 1 2 3
Burkina Faso 1998 Did not qualify
Ghana Nigeria 2000
Mali 2002 Group stage 9th 3 0 2 1 3 4
Tunisia 2004 Did not qualify
Egypt 2006
Ghana 2008
Angola 2010
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012
South Africa 2013
Equatorial Guinea 2015
Gabon 2017
Egypt 2019
Cameroon 2021
Ivory Coast 2023
Morocco 2025
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined
Total Group stage 2/34 5 1 2 2 5 7

Honors

Regional

  • WAFU Nations Cup
    • Third place (1): 2011
  • West African Nations Cup
    • Runners-up (1): 1987
  • CEDEAO Cup
    • Runners-up (1): 1987

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Liberia para niños

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