Published: May 30, 2025
MONROVIA — Veteran Liberian goalkeeper Tommy Sango says he plans to write a book chronicling his football journey and life lessons after retiring from international play.
In a Facebook post last week, Sango, who has served as the national team’s goalkeeper for over a decade, announced his intention to share the highs and lows of his career in a memoir he hopes will inspire young players.
“I am going to write a book after I have retired from playing for the national team of Liberia,” Sango wrote.
Sango made his senior debut for the Lone Star in 2013 during a 3-1 away win over Guinea-Bissau in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Since then, he has been a mainstay in the national team and a familiar face in local football, representing LISCR FC for over 13 seasons.
In an exclusive interview with The Liberian Investigator on Tuesday, May 27, at his Rehab residence, Sango reflected on his early days in football, including his time as an unpaid team caretaker between 2009 and 2010 and assisting his mother in selling water and juice at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.
“My story will inspire a lot of young players,” he said. “From selling drinks with my mother at ATS to playing for the national team, I’ve seen it all.”
Responding to Betting Allegations
Sango also used the interview to address recent allegations circulating on social media that he may have influenced national team matches for betting purposes — accusations he vehemently denies.
“Since I was born, I am yet to gamble — not to mention betting on my own country,” he said.
Move to South Africa, Absence from LISCR
Sango explained that he joined South Africa’s Cape Town Spurs on a half-season loan in 2023 after Liberia’s 2-1 loss to South Africa. The move, he said, caused him to miss LISCR’s CAF Champions League preliminary matches and most of the 2024–25 season, fueling speculation among fans about his absence.
Handling Criticism and Reflecting on Career
Sango acknowledged the emotional toll of criticism from fans, particularly after Liberia’s 2-2 draw against Togo in 2015, which derailed the team’s hopes of qualifying for the 2016 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite that setback, he remains resilient.
“I don’t feel pressure because I understand the behavior of fans. I follow their comments on social media,” he said.
With more than 60 caps for the Lone Star and a legacy spanning over a decade, Sango’s upcoming memoir is expected to offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Liberian football and the personal sacrifices behind the game.
His story — one of grit, service, and determination — could become a blueprint for aspiring players hoping to rise above adversity.
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