Published: July 13, 2026
Monrovia – Veteran coach Robert Lartey, popularly known as “Coach Pella,” has announced he will leave Determine Girls after leading the club to a sixth consecutive Liberia Football Association (LFA) Upper Women’s League title.
Lartey made the announcement after Determine Girls secured the championship with a goalless draw against Shaita Angels on Friday.
Speaking to Intel Sports after the match, Lartey said he believes he has accomplished his mission with the club and that it is time for someone else to take over.
“I want to thank our fans, but I want to be clear that this is my last season with Determine Girls. I need to give other people the chance,” Lartey said.
The veteran coach also revealed his desire to return to men’s football but did not disclose his next destination.
Lartey joined Determine Girls on a permanent basis during the 2024-25 season, guiding the club to a historic treble by winning the LFA Upper Women’s League, the Orange Cup and the LFA Women’s Super Cup.
During an earlier spell with the club in 2022, he led Determine Girls to their first regional title by winning the WAFU A CAF Women’s Champions League zonal qualifiers, earning Liberia’s first qualification to the CAF Women’s Champions League finals in Morocco.
Widely regarded as one of Liberia’s most accomplished coaches, Lartey has won league titles in both the men’s and women’s top divisions, as well as the FA Cup, during successful spells with clubs including BYC and LISCR FC.
Determine Girls entered Friday’s title decider needing only a draw to retain the championship, while Shaita Angels required a victory to claim their first league title. The defending champions produced a disciplined defensive display to secure the point they needed.
The result saw Determine Girls finish the season unbeaten with 58 points from 18 wins and four draws. The champions scored 71 goals and conceded 11, finishing with a goal difference of plus-60.
Shaita Angels finished one point behind on 57 after recording 18 wins, three draws and one defeat. They ended the campaign with the league’s best attack, scoring 82 goals and conceding eight for a goal difference of plus-74.
As league champions, Determine Girls will receive a US$25,000 cash prize from the LFA and US$100,000 in support from the Confederation of African Football to prepare for the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Friday’s title decider was postponed for more than a month because of a dispute over the eligibility of three foreign players fielded by Shaita Angels.
Determine Girls and Ravia Angels challenged the eligibility of Kaddy Jarju, Z. Mary Nunoo and Comfort Osei Frimpong, arguing that the players’ work and residence permits had not been uploaded to the LFA Connect System in accordance with Article 3.1 of the LFA Rules and Regulations.
The LFA Grievance and Disciplinary Committee initially ruled in favor of the complaint, stripping Shaita Angels of points and goals.
However, the LFA Appeals Committee overturned that decision and restored all points and goals. The panel ruled that the protest, filed on May 26, 2026, was submitted well beyond the 10-day deadline required under Article 13.2.1 of the LFA Rules and Regulations.
The committee also ruled that registration in the LFA Connect System serves as conclusive proof of a player’s eligibility. It said any administrative or clerical errors after registration could not be held against a club unless there was evidence of fraud, concealment or deliberate noncompliance.
The ruling cleared the way for Friday’s title decider, where Determine Girls successfully extended their dominance of women’s football in Liberia by winning a sixth consecutive league championship.
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