Published: September 8, 2025
MONROVIA — The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has begun negotiations with Selam Kebede to renew her contract as head coach of the senior women’s national team, more than a month after her two-year deal officially expired.
Kebede, an Ethiopian national and CAF instructor, was appointed in July 2023 on a contract that ended July 27, 2025. She has remained in her post since then, though no formal announcement has been made by the LFA.
LFA President Mustapha Raji confirmed that discussions are ongoing but did not explain the delay. The absence of clarity has fueled concerns about transparency in the association and raised questions over the future of women’s football in Liberia.
At her unveiling in 2023, Kebede promised to build a strong and competitive team. But she has yet to guide Liberia to a major international tournament. Her most notable setback came in the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where Liberia lost 3–0 away and 3–2 at home to Cape Verde, exiting in the preliminary round on a 6–2 aggregate.
Signs of Progress
Despite that disappointment, Liberia has shown improvement under Kebede’s leadership in regional competitions. The women’s side won the Mano River Union Women’s Tournament in December 2024 and finished third at the 2025 WAFU Zone A Women’s Cup in Mauritania.
Kebede’s contract also tasked her with supporting the LFA’s educational programs. She facilitated several training sessions, including a CAF A License diploma course that drew four foreign participants. She also reportedly helped broker a sponsorship deal with Wana Sportswear, the brand currently outfitting Liberia’s national teams.
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