Under temporary coach Thomas Kojo, Liberia’s national football team has at last broken a five-year home-winning drought. In a thrilling match at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex, Liberia defeated Sierra Leone 2-1, securing a major victory in the African Nations Championship (CHAN). This tournament, exclusive to players in domestic leagues, saw Kojo bring Liberia a long-awaited home-field success. Below, we’ll explore the game’s key moments, how Kojo’s tactics made the difference, and what lies ahead for Liberia’s national team.

Liberia’s Long Wait for Victory

Under former coach Peter Butler, a 1-0 victory against Chad, Liberia’s last home win was in 2019. The stadium has been renovated since then, including substituting artificial turf for its natural grass. Despite the updates, consistent home wins have remained elusive. Over the years, coaches like Ansu Keita and Mario Marinica came and went, facing tough defeats and ultimately resigning without seeing Liberia secure another home victory. This challenging backdrop set the stage for Kojo’s first game as interim coach, and he delivered a memorable win for the Lone Star.

A Fresh Start with Thomas Kojo

Experienced Liberian football player Thomas Kojo was chosen as temporary coach by the Liberia Football Association (LFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. With just five days to prepare, Kojo assembled a squad drawn from local league players, facing Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars. Kojo’s quick adjustments and experience in national football seemed to ignite the team, despite having only two training sessions before the game. He leaned into his familiarity with the local players to set a strategy that proved effective against Sierra Leone.

Key Moments of the Match

The match began explosively, with Liberia taking the lead just two minutes in. Lawrence Kumeh scored a remarkable free-kick goal, sending early cheers through the empty stadium. Sierra Leone responded quickly, applying pressure and managing an equalizer from Suffian Kalokoh’s effort against Liberia’s goalkeeper Teddy Kollie. Both teams continued to battle, with Sierra Leone emerging as the more aggressive side throughout the first half. Yet, Liberia’s squad returned to the pitch in the second half with renewed energy.

Kojo’s tactical switch proved beneficial as forward William Gibson ramped up Liberia’s offensive strategy. When Gibson’s well-placed cross resulted in an own goal by Sierra Leone’s defense, Liberia was leading, and his constant pressure at last paid off. Sierra Leone’s last-minute penalty miss sealed Liberia’s historic 2-1 victory and ended their hopes of a comeback.

“We only had two training sessions before this game,” said Thomas Kojo after the match. “I’m impressed with our team’s spirit, but we need time to build a winning squad.”

What’s Next for Liberia?

With this victory, Kojo’s tenure as interim coach is off to a promising start. The LFA has asked him to oversee the team until December, with additional matches against Togo and Algeria in the CHAN tournament. Kojo has expressed his willingness to stay on as head coach if offered the position permanently, a decision the LFA and Ministry of Youth and Sports will make in the coming months. This match has not only ended a long losing streak at home but also revived national pride and optimism for Liberia’s football future.

• Victory Drought Broken: First home win since 2019.
• Kojo’s Impact: Local coach with only five days to prepare.
• Match Highlights: Goals from Kumeh and Gibson’s assist.
• Future Plans: Kojo to lead team until December with possible extension.

Conclusion

More than just a score, Liberia’s 2-1 victory over Sierra Leone at home was a statement of resiliency and a display of Thomas Kojo’s tactical knowledge. The triumph energizes Liberia’s national football scene and gives the team morale support while they get ready for the next CHAN games. Whether Kojo will continue as the permanent head coach remains to be seen, but for now, his leadership has rekindled Liberia’s hopes for a competitive future on home turf.