Published: September 16, 2026
When Liberia’s senior national team, popularly known as the “Weah XI,” drew the curtain on its era on Jan. 28, 2002, with a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in the final group match of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali, it marked the end of one of the most intriguing chapters in Liberian football.
By Wleh Bedell, Contributor
A new generation soon emerged, with a host of promising young talents coming into the international spotlight.
Players such as Anthony “Snorty” Laffor, Francis Forkey Doe, Zah Rahan Krangar, James Koko Lomell, Isaac Zola Pupo, Murphy Nagbe, Frederick Vah, Sekou Jabateh Oliseh, Stephen Mennoh, John Tarkpoh Sonkailey, Ben Teekloh, Eddie Today, Mardie Rennie and George Baysah, among others, joined the Lone Star at various stages.
Although it was the beginning of a new era, several veterans from the Weah-led generation remained involved, helping guide the emerging players. Joe Nagbe, James Salinsa Debbah, Christopher Wreh, Louis Crayton, George Gebro, Dulee Johnson, Zizi Roberts and Isaac Tondo were among the experienced players who featured for varying periods.
The relatively new-look Lone Star began its next Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Sept. 8, 2002, against Guinea’s Syli National in an away fixture. Liberia lost 3-0, with veterans Louis Crayton and George Gebro joined by Jimmy Dixon, Prince Daye, Frank Seator and Alvin Power Kieh in the squad.
Liberia responded in its second qualifier against Niger at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
After substitute Henry Zobon Gobah unleashed a powerful shot that rattled the crossbar, Prince Daye followed up to score as Liberia secured a 1-0 victory. The result came despite an early penalty miss by Christopher Wreh. Ethiopia was the other team in the group.
Fast-forward to 2026, and 24 years after the end of the “Weah XI” era, Liberia is still searching for a return to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Lone Star has failed to qualify for the tournament since its last appearance in 2002, with the 2027 qualifying campaign now approaching.
Across 12 AFCON qualifying campaigns during that period, Liberia played 68 competitive matches, recording 17 wins — including one awarded through a protest after Equatorial Guinea fielded an ineligible player — 14 draws and 37 losses.
The Lone Star scored 57 goals and conceded 123, averaging 0.84 goals scored and 1.81 goals conceded per game.
Biggest win, heaviest defeats
Liberia’s biggest victory during the period was a 5-0 demolition of Djibouti in Monrovia during the 2017 AFCON qualifiers. William Jebor scored a hat trick in that match.
The Lone Star’s heaviest defeats were identical 6-1 losses to Senegal and Nigeria in away qualifiers for the 2006 and 2013 AFCON tournaments, respectively.
Fastest and latest goals
Dioh Williams scored Liberia’s fastest goal during the period, finding the net in the second minute against Mali in the 2010 AFCON qualifiers.
William Jebor holds the record for Liberia’s latest goal, scoring in the 90th minute plus four minutes against Djibouti on March 29, 2016.
William Gibson also scored in the 90th minute against Mali, while Patrick “Ronaldinho” Wleh found the net in the 90th minute plus two minutes against Togo.
On the other side, Guinea’s Titi Camara scored the fastest goal against Liberia, finding the net in the fourth minute during the 2004 AFCON qualifiers.
Liberia’s latest conceded goal came in a 1-0 away defeat to Niger in the 2004 qualifiers, when Al Hassan converted a 90th-minute penalty.
Lackluster or promising?
Twenty-four years after the end of the “Weah XI” era, the numbers present a difficult picture: 68 matches, 17 wins, 14 draws, 37 defeats, 57 goals scored and 123 conceded.
So, how should Liberia’s performance over this 24-year period be rated — lackluster or promising?
The debate is open.
Next: All 68 Lone Star AFCON qualifying results, dates and the exact minutes in which Liberia’s goals were scored.
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