Published: June 8, 2026
Paynesville — Mohammed Adil Erradi’s tenure as Liberia coach began with a 1-0 defeat to Sierra Leone on Saturday in the first of two international friendlies at the Southern Arena in Bo.
Abdul Kabia scored the game’s only goal in the second half to hand Sierra Leone the victory and give interim coach John Edward Keister a winning sendoff before his departure from the role.
Erradi deployed a 5-3-2 formation, with veteran striker Kpah Sherman partnering Ayouba Kosiah in attack.
However, the Lone Star struggled to create clear scoring opportunities and finished the first half without testing the Sierra Leone defense consistently.
Despite the defeat, goalkeeper Amos Wesseh was among Liberia’s standout performers. Making his second start for the national team, Wesseh produced three saves in the opening half before being replaced by Ashley Williams at halftime.
The Netherlands-based goalkeeper appeared composed throughout his outing and could emerge as a serious contender for Liberia’s No. 1 position ahead of the upcoming AFCON qualifying campaign.
Liberia lacked urgency for long stretches of the match, with supporters following online expressing frustration over the team’s slow tempo and limited attacking threat.
The result leaves the Lone Star seeking a response in Tuesday’s return fixture at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Erradi, who recently signed a three-year contract, was appointed with the primary objective of leading Liberia back to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2002.
The Moroccan coach faces an immediate challenge after Liberia was drawn into a difficult Group K for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Mali, Cape Verde and Rwanda.
Mali remain one of Africa’s most consistent national teams and regular qualifiers for major tournaments. Cape Verde have developed into one of the continent’s most organized sides and remain in contention for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Rwanda, meanwhile, presents a unique challenge for Erradi. The coach enjoyed significant success with APR FC, winning three league titles and overseeing a 50-match unbeaten run during his time in the country. That familiarity could provide valuable tactical insight when the teams meet during qualifying.
The 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign will be contested across three FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027, with six matchdays determining which nations advance to the finals.
For now, however, Erradi’s focus will be on securing his first victory as Liberia coach and building momentum before the competitive fixtures begin.
Whether he can translate his club success into results at the international level will likely define the early stages of his tenure and Liberia’s hopes of ending its long absence from Africa’s premier football competition.
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