Published: February 13, 2026
MONROVIA — The chairman of Liberia’s newly established National Team Mobilization Committee says qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is a national priority, vowing to marshal financial and grassroots support to end the country’s 25-year absence from the continental tournament.
Rev. Luther Tarpeh, who also serves as national chairman of the ruling Unity Party, was appointed by Liberia Football Association President Mustapha Raji to lead mobilization efforts ahead of the AFCON qualifying campaign, expected to begin next year.
Liberia last qualified for the tournament in 2002.
“The last time we appeared at the Nations Cup was 2002. It has been 24 years since Liberia was represented at AFCON. It is time to break the jinx,” Tarpeh said.
He described qualification as both a sporting and national objective, arguing that football remains one of the country’s strongest unifying forces.
“There is nothing that unites the country more than soccer. Young people are yearning to see Liberia at the Nations Cup. Countries going there are not better than us. We need to mobilize the entire country, and that’s why I am here,” Tarpeh said. “I can assure you, there is only one goal: Liberia must qualify.”
Tarpeh said he accepted the role “with humility” and appealed for bipartisan and cross-sector support.
“AFCON 2027 is a must. Please join us to put smiles on the faces of Liberians at home and abroad,” he said.
Broad-Based Committee
The mobilization team draws members from government, sports administration, civil society and the private sector.
Among them are Liberia Telecommunications Authority Commissioner Patrick Honnah; Montserrado County Sen. Saah Joseph; Bong County Sen. Johnny Kpehe; LFA Executive Committee member Hilary Sackie; and Chenor Jalloh, representing the Fula community.
Other members include Lofa County Sen. Momo Cyrus; Bong County Rep. Foday Fahnbulleh; Liberia Petroleum Refining Company Managing Director Amos Tweh; Cllr. Kunkunyon Teh of Bea Mountain; civil society representative Sensee Kaidi; Commerce Minister Magdalene Dagoseh; Sports Writers Association of Liberia President Varmah Kamara; Montserrado County Rep. Emmanuel Dahn; and motorcyclist union representative John Kenyor.
The committee’s mandate includes fundraising, fan mobilization, and logistical coordination in support of the Lone Star during the qualifying campaign.
History of Near Misses
Liberia came close to ending its AFCON drought in 2023. A 2-1 loss to South Africa at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia eliminated the Lone Star from contention. A victory in that match, following a 2-2 away draw, would have secured qualification.
Previous mobilization efforts have struggled to generate sustained funding and nationwide engagement, particularly during decisive qualifying matches. The formation of the new committee appears aimed at institutionalizing support structures that have historically been ad hoc.
Discussion about this post