Published: June 9, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s U-20 national football team coach, Cooper Sannah, has named his final squad for the 2025 WAFU A & B U-20 Championship, set to kick off June 15 in Ghana—ending weeks of criticism and uncertainty over his selection process.
Sannah, who initially unveiled a 32-man provisional roster, faced sharp backlash from the public and football analysts for including a large number of U-15 and U-17 players in a tournament designated for U-20 athletes. The controversial move prompted widespread concern over the team’s readiness and competitiveness.
In response to the criticism, Sannah made revisions to the squad. However, several key players who participated in a recent pre-tournament training camp in Ivory Coast were surprisingly excluded from the final list. Among them were midfielder Saah Moses, widely regarded as the engine of the U-20 midfield, and striker William Gibson, who recently earned a senior national team call-up after an impressive league run.
One of the most debated inclusions is midfielder Alhaji Samukai, who has been without a club since parting ways with Denmark’s AC Horsens U19 team in January. Samukai made just seven appearances, totaling 84 minutes, during a six-month stint in the Danish U19 Youth League and has not featured in any competitive match since his departure.
Sannah’s selection has raised concerns among fans and pundits, with many questioning his preparedness to lead the youth squad in a competition of such magnitude. The apparent inconsistency in the final roster has added to growing skepticism about the team’s potential to advance from a challenging group that includes host nation Ghana, Togo, and The Gambia.
Despite the controversy, Liberia’s technical staff and players are focused on making a strong impression in the regional tournament, hoping to defy the odds and progress beyond the group stage.
Final Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Onesimus Beyan – Blackman Warriors
William Fallah – Margibi FC
Defenders:
Emmanuel Johnson – FC Gar’ou
Marbert Quayee – LEAD Academy
Pewou Bestman – LPRC Oilers
Moses Kamara – Ansu Academy
Eric Kamara – Chicken Soup Factory FC
Patrick Monboe – Heaven Eleven
Midfielders:
Ezekiel Varney Jr – FC Gar’ou
Mitchell Jackson – FC Fassell
Isaac Gborgbar Jr – Freeport FC
Alhaji Samukai – Without Club
Kindness Cole – Mighty Barrolle
James Tonny Zortiah – Heaven Eleven
Forwards:
Roland Kamei – Mighty Barrolle
Emmanuel Sumo – Bea Mountain FC
Boimah Tokpa – Invincible Eleven (IE)
Ralph Nuch Weah – Tebah Academy
Jonathan Freeman – Discoveries FC
Emmanuel Flomo – LISCR FC
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