Published: May 28, 2025
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania — A stunning free kick from midfielder Bendu Yantay helped Liberia secure a 1-1 draw with Mali and advance to the semifinals of the WAFU Zone A Women’s Cup, setting up a high-stakes clash with defending champions Senegal.
The decisive Group A match was played Monday, May 26, 2025, at the Stade KSAR. Liberia, under head coach Selam Zeray Kadebe, progressed to the semifinals after finishing second in the group with five points.
Mali took the lead in the 23rd minute, but Liberia equalized just before halftime when Yantay unleashed a powerful 35-yard strike that beat the Malian goalkeeper, igniting celebrations among the Lone Star squad.
The impressive goal earned Yantay the Woman of the Match honor, making her the third Liberian to win the accolade at the tournament after Jessica Quachie and Louis Brown.
Yantay, a standout for the Senior Female Professionals, has been instrumental in Coach Kadebe’s setup, showing composure, control and creativity in midfield. Her performances have drawn attention both for her technical skill and maturity on the field. At club level, she led her side to a third-place finish in the Liberia Football Association Upper Women’s League.
Liberia’s group stage campaign included a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau and two 1-1 draws against host nation Mauritania and Mali.
With the draw, Liberia secured second place in Group A behind Senegal, who will be their semifinal opponents on Thursday, May 29, at 7 p.m.
Senegal enters the semifinals as tournament favorites and the only team to have reached the final four in every edition since the WAFU Zone A Women’s Championship began in 2020. According to Let’s Promote Women’s Football, the Lionesses remain unbeaten in the competition’s history, with 11 wins and two draws from 13 matches.
After the match, Coach Kadebe praised her team’s resilience and unity.
“This is a fantastic testament to the power of teamwork,” she wrote on social media. “The biggest achievement is not just advancing to the next round, but seeing these young players compete at this level. Well done, team! Keep pushing forward.”
Kadebe, appointed in July 2023, has now recorded one win, two draws, and two losses in five competitive matches in charge of the national team.
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