Liberia national football team, also known as the Lone Star, is gearing for their two important AFCON qualifiers with Equatorial Guinea this October 2025. The back-to-back qualifiers are highly anticipated, as they will be a standout, principal factor in determining the chances of Liberia securing a spot in one of Africa’s biggest soccer tournaments, the AFCON 2025.

First-leg qualifiers will be played in Equatorial Guinea on October 11. The Lone Star will have to play in their opponents’ backyard-a daunting task. Second leg, three days after, October 14, home turf, Monrovia, Liberia. Thousands of passionate Liberian supporters will throng the stands, hopeful of a successful encounter that should move their team further into the tournament stages.

The Lone Star’s squad has a mix of established professionals and promising talent all lined up under the head coach, Mario Marinica. The coach has indeed worked very hard in assembling some of the best players to compete at the highest levels. There are veterans of international football to bring in stability and leadership qualities, while the young ones are there to make their mark and gain invaluable experience on the most prestigious stage in international football.

These will indeed be tough encounters, as Equatorial Guinea is also looking to secure a slot in the AFCON, just like Liberia. The consequence of any of these matches could make or mar the future of Liberian football, as their fans expect an affirmative performance that will bring them closer to one of those precious positions in the tournament.

Squad Overview

Coach Mario Marinica named a 24-man squad that will feature in the next rounds of games. The Liberia Football Association made this known via a statement published on their official Facebook page, Thursday, October 3. This squad comes with a mix of individual players across the globe, with the majority playing professional football in Europe.

Goalkeepers:

• Tommy Songo
• Abdulai Koulibaly
• Derrick D. Julu

Defenders:

• Sampson Dweh
• Prince Balde
• Kemoh Kamara
• Natus Swen
• Joel A. Johnson
• Nelson Laomie
• Chauncy Freeman
• Sabastin Teclar

Midfielders:

• Mohammed Sangare
• Murphy Dorley
• Sheku Sheriff
• Nohan Kenneh
• Divine Teah
• Lawrence Kumeh
• Armah Vaikainah
• Sheikh Sesay

Strikers:

• Terry Sackor
• Peter Wilson
• Emmanuel Ernest
• Mark Yallah
• William Gibson

Key Players to Watch

Notable names include Prince Balde, currently at FC Rosengård in Sweden. He was an integral part of the team under other coaches but has not appeared since March 2023. His consistent performances in the Swedish league have earned him a recall.

Another important addition to the squad is Joel A. Johnson, a right-back for Charlotte Independence in the United States. Johnson last played for Liberia in November 2023 and is expected to bring experience and leadership to the team.

A surprise inclusion is Armah Vaikainah, an unattached midfielder who has been a free agent since July after his contract with the Maltese Premier League club Marsaxlokk expired. Despite limited club appearances in 2024, Vaikainah’s national team experience has earned him a spot in the squad.

AFCON Qualifiers Match Schedule

The immediate task ahead of Liberia in the coming qualifiers is an uphill one, but the Lone Star has time and again proven that it can punch well above its weight. The side is expected to garner points against Equatorial Guinea if the team is to stand a chance in qualifying for the AFCON.

• First Leg: October 11, 2025 – Equatorial Guinea (Away)
• Second Leg: October 14, 2025 – Monrovia, Liberia (Home)

Conclusion

The Liberia national football team, under the guidance of Mario Marinica, is preparing for one of its most crucial encounters in recent memory. A mix of veterans, along with the latest flair, means the Lone Star is all set to give Equatorial Guinea a hard time in the CAF AFCON Qualifiers.