-Due to Lack of Funds
By: Thomas Kojo Roulhac
The Liberian National Team’s money issues have now reportedly taken another turn as they risk not winning their opening game against Togo due to lack of funds.
With less than five days to go, financial issues continue to threaten Lonestar’s participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Lonestar is expected to be a visitor to Togo on September 6, 2024, for their opening game before coming back to host Algeria at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium four days later. But addressing journalists on Friday, August 30 at a day-long engagement, LFA President, Mustapha Raji said Lonestar is yet to move to camp due to unpaid bills owned by the government.
He alleged that the Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports is still indebted to the management of RLJ and Colonial hotels since March of this year as such, the hotels are not willing to accept the national team without clearing their old debit.
Raji informed journalists that the government is yet to make available money for the two games this month. “This situation might lead to the team leaving on the eve [5th September] and returning to Liberia just hours after the game on the same day to begin preparation to host Algeria” he explained in frustration.
However, following the news on social media during the weekend, football enthusiasts took to Facebook to criticize the government of Liberia for their alleged lack of support for Lonestar. Emmanuel James, a local jersey seller accused the government of not being supportive of sports development across the country. “How will sports improve in Liberia when the government is focused on supporting politicians than sports institutions” he asked.
Also in a phone conversation during a local sports show, Aaron Gee of FC Fassell Fan Club urged the government to diversify its sports focus away from politics, claiming sports institutions are at risk of dying out if the strategy is not changed.
“This is a trend we must halt as a nation else financial challenges will kill the sports disciplines,” said Gee. ” National teams are properties of the state but sadly they don’t get the needed support from the state,” he added. “As a result, it hinders their preparations for events and struggle to challenge other nations.
