Liberia’s National Football Team recent 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea in an African Cup of Nations Qualifier has sparked talks of a leadership change in the football team of the West African nation. Former Liberia midfielder Arnold Kennedy says the Liberia Football Association should scrap the contract of head coach Mario Marinica, advising that the team has not amazed under his mentorship and seems nowhere near upgrading.

Kennedy’s Disappointment with Marinica’s Leadership

Disappointment by Kennedy with the leadership of Marinica Kennedy shared his anger for the team’s direction and termed the results as “unacceptable” for a country with rich footballing talent. Since Marinica took over as head coach, he has managed two wins, three draws, and three losses-coming against strong teams like Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Morocco’s U-23 squad.

A Call for Change: “It’s Time for This Coach to Go”

In a passionate Facebook post, Kennedy, who has long been an advocate for developing Liberian talent through educational and professional football opportunities abroad, was blunt in his assessment.

Kennedy emphasized that in other footballing nations, a coach delivering such poor results would have already been dismissed.

Criticism of the Coaching Staff and LFA

Kennedy’s frustration extended beyond Marinica, criticizing the entire coaching staff’s apparent failure to analyze and correct recurring mistakes. He questioned whether the staff even reviews their matches, implying a lack of accountability.

Kennedy also called out the LFA for its inaction, accusing the organization of turning a blind eye to the team’s struggles despite having knowledgeable football professionals on its board.

Basic Mistakes and Poor Squad Selection

Kennedy cited fundamental issues within the team, such as players’ inability to complete simple passes or deliver effective crosses, as further proof of the poor coaching standards. He criticized Marinica for benching talented players while giving opportunities to those who fail to perform.

Liberia National Football Team Regression Compared to Other Nations

In his post, Kennedy highlighted the progress of other smaller footballing nations, contrasting Liberia’s regression with teams like Comoros, Sudan, and Lesotho, who have recently achieved notable results. Kennedy expressed frustration over Liberia’s tendency to accept defeat without reflection.

He also pointed out the lack of pressure on players to perform, claiming favoritism and family connections often secure future opportunities for underperforming players.

What’s Next for the Liberia National Football Team?

Liberia is set to face Equatorial Guinea in the return leg of the African Cup of Nations Qualifiers today, October 14, 2024, at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex. A win in this match could move Liberia up the group standings, depending on the outcome of the Algeria vs. Togo match. Algeria currently leads the group with nine points, followed by Equatorial Guinea with four points, Togo with two, and Liberia sitting at the bottom with one point.