Another FIFA World Cup qualifier has come to an end for Liberia Lone Star and other senior national teams on the continent, the just concluded Qualifier for the Lone Star is another fruitless venture as faithfuls ponder and are hoping for the tides to turn in favor of the red, white and blue outfit in future competitions.
1980 to 2025
On December 7, 1980, the Lone Star debuted in the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier. After taking a Bye in the first round, they were paired against the Sylli Nationale of Guinea in the second round. The first leg ended goaless at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS), and the Guineans won the second leg 1-0 on December 21, courtesy of a goal by midfielder Bangoura Seydouba in the 55th minute as the Lone Star exited the qualifiers.
Then came the 1986 World Cup qualifiers where the then Green Eagles of Nigeria proved too strong for the Lone as they cruised to the next round with a 4-0 aggregate loss. Nigeria won the first leg at home 3-0, followed by a 1-0 win here in Liberia.
With no goal scored in four matches, a draw and three losses, a new generation of stars came to the fore as they showed character and the mentality to compete fiercely.
It was the 1990 World Cup qualifier with Liberia Lone Star locking horns with a star saturated Ghana Black Star, and against all odds, the Lone Star survived at the Accra Sports stadium with Pewou Bestman saving a penalty from the experienced forward George Al Hassan, a member of the Black Star squad that last won the Nations Cup in 1982 in Libya .
The Ghanaian danger man had his shot spilled by Pewou and in an attempt to get the second bite of the cherry, the young goalkeeper was on time to reach the ball first, but the attacker clattered into him as the game momentarily stopped for the net minder to be treated by the medics.
The Lone Star held on as they drew with their Ghanaian counterparts in a gruelling 0-0 draw on August 7, 1988. The second leg saw a massive mobilization with president and Chief Patron of sports, Samuel Kanyon Doe, forming the Lone Star mobilization Committee headed by Mighty Barrolle president and Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Alhaji G.V.Kromah under “Operations Eliminate Ghana”.
This paid off as George Weah scored Liberia’s first goal in the World Cup qualifiers from an indirect free kick in the first half with James Salinsa Debbah raging in the Ghanaian defense to get the cushion as the Lone Star qualified to the Group stage on August 21,1988 defeating Ghana 2-0 and were placed in a Group with Egypt Pharaohs, the eventual group winners, Kenya Harambee Stars and Malawi Flames. Wins over Malawi and Egypt at the SKD showed some promise as the team grew and matured over the years
Fast forward, after that impressive display, the best other performance was the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, where the Lone Star with George Weah; the most influential player and Technical Director came close to qualification as they showed some heroic display, beating the Black Stars of Ghana 3-1 away, 2-1 win over Nigeria at home, a hard fought 1-0 win over Sierra Leone and a comfortable win over Sudan at the SKD amongst other memorable games.
But, a 2-1 loss to a deplete Ghana at the SKD cost the team as Nigeria profited from the loss and they trounced Sudan away and mauled Ghana at home to book their ticket to the Japan, South Korea Mondial with Liberia ending second.
Since then, it has been just mediocre performances for the Lone Star in the qualifiers. With another qualifier over, it’s now 45 Years, 10 months, 9 days, the team’s journey in the (1982,1986,1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018,2022 and 2026 qualifiers), ten qualifiers.
In these ten qualifiers, the Lone Star have played 76 matches,(6,840 mins.), 22 Wins, 15 draws, 39 Losses, 58 goals scored, 105 goals conceded. A long list of players and while the performance have gone downhill, the team must keep competing in both the Afcon and W/C qualifiers with some tweaking and huge investment needed.
With a young squad and motivation driven by a well structured program, it can get better with time and hard work. There is also the need to make the local league more competitive, youth teams must be developed and the path of Grassroots football must be hailed.
A long way to go though, but football stakeholders must see the glass as half filled order than half empty.
Also, the relevant authorities must embrace criticism as we all forge ahead to see vast improvement which could mark a Renaissance to the game here.
