Nouakchott, Mauritania & Monrovia, Liberia – In a stirring testament to resilience, teamwork, and national pride, Liberia’s Senior Women’s National Football Team captured the bronze medal at the 2025 WAFU Zone A Women’s Cup—an achievement that has inspired a country and signaled a new dawn for women’s football.
From a rocky start to a rapturous return, the Lone Star Ladies’ journey to the podium was paved with adversity and triumph. Hindered by last-minute visa delays, the team arrived in Nouakchott less than 48 hours before their opening game. In a rare display of sportsmanship, tournament organizers postponed the kickoff to accommodate Liberia and other delayed teams—a move that would help fuel an unforgettable campaign.
Their opening match saw an emphatic 3-1 win over Guinea-Bissau, with dazzling goals from Jessica Quachie and Mimi Eiden. Draws against host Mauritania and a disciplined Mali side demonstrated Liberia’s composure and tactical growth. Although they fell in the semifinals to Senegal following a controversial penalty decision, the Lone Star Ladies rebounded in the bronze medal match with fierce determination. Delphine Glao’s decisive strike secured a 1-0 victory over Mali, earning Liberia its place on the tournament’s final podium.
But this was more than a medal. It was a moment.
Their return home was met with a hero’s welcome. The arrival hall of Roberts International Airport erupted in jubilation as fans, officials, and cultural performers gathered to celebrate the team’s achievement. Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador, Kekura Malawala Kamara, and his troupe welcomed the players with traditional drumming, ululation, and dance—a powerful symbol of the nation’s emotional connection to its team.
At the heart of this milestone is a broader vision—championed and guided by the Liberia Football Association (LFA) under the leadership of President Mustapha Raji. The LFA’s investment in the women’s game, commitment to youth development, and pursuit of long-term strategies have yielded real results. Raji’s leadership, marked by a deliberate focus on inclusivity and growth, has given Liberia’s female athletes the platform they deserve.
Coach Selam Kebede’s forward-thinking approach—building a young, dynamic team with strong emphasis on fitness, mental toughness, and team cohesion—has proven key. Her selection of emerging talents over familiar names signals a new era of purpose and planning for Liberia’s women’s football.
“This bronze medal is just the beginning,” said Coach Kebede. “We are building not just a team, but a future.”
Yet, even in celebration, there is a call to action. The Lone Star Ladies’ success shines a spotlight on the pressing need for sustained investment: in infrastructure, training facilities, medical care, and international exposure. Liberia is not short on talent—it needs systems that nurture it.
President Raji’s efforts are already charting a new path. Under his stewardship, women’s football is gaining recognition not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of Liberia’s sporting identity. His vision, matched by the team’s performance, has stirred a national awakening.
“This team is proof that when we invest in our daughters, they rise—and when they rise, the nation rises with them,” said Raji in a post-match statement.
The bronze medal is not a consolation prize. It is a symbol of hope. A symbol of grit. A symbol of girls becoming giants. It is a reminder that through football, Liberia continues to find its rhythm, its strength, and its unifying spirit.
As the dust settles on Mauritania and the drums fade in Robertsfield, one thing remains clear: the Lone Star Ladies have made history—and the nation must answer their triumph with commitment, belief, and a deeper investment in the enduring joy of sport.
