Monrovia, Liberia – Thomas Kojo, the acting coach of Liberia’s national football team, has named a 24-man roster for the next World Cup qualifying matches against São Tomé and Tunisia. At the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex, the team, which consists of both local and professional players, will face Tunisia on March 19 and São Tomé on March 24.
With all three goalkeepers being local, the team has 11 local players and 13 foreign players. Midfielder Solomon Tweh, who plays for Al Raed of Saudi Arabia, and Bryant Farkarlun, who plays for Austin FC in Major League Soccer, are two of the new additions. After being absent for a number of years, Augustine Otis is also rejoining the team.
Following his outstanding performance for Tersana SC of Egypt, where he scored 11 goals this season, Otis was included. After almost five years away from the national team, he is making his comeback. He last played for Liberia in 2019.
The squad’s new members, Bryan Farkarlun, Josiah Cea, Jeygbey Konneh, and Nicholas Andrews, are all expected to make their senior national team debuts. However, important players like striker Emmanuel Ernest, midfielder Mo Sangaré, and Brem M. Soumaoro will be absent from the team. For personal reasons, goalie Mohamed Kamara also chose to sit out.
Liberia has seven points and is presently in third place in their World Cup qualifying group, will mostly depend on home crowd support to get the six points they need from these games. The team’s goal is to improve Liberia’s position in the tournament by combining seasoned internationals with up-and-coming talent.
In an attempt to inspire the players to produce the much-needed results, coach Kojo has urged Liberians to turn out in force to cheer on the squad.
Squard 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)
Photo Credit: LFA
