28/09/2026
Former Chairman & CEO of the National WASH Commission, Ambassador Bobby Whitefield, writes: ✍️ 👇
"Averaging one win in every four games over a 46-year period, Liberia's overall record stands at a 28% win rate from 246 games (W69, D52, L125). The statistics underscore the Lone Star's status as a second-tier African side. Attached is an era-by-era breakdown from 1980–2026.
Given the above record, is our expectation of the Lone Star too high? High expectation of the Lone Star is not the problem. In fact, it's necessary. Every great team needs it. Expectation sets a standard. It tells players "we are not here to just participate". It unites fans. It gives a whole country one heartbeat. It attracts pressure and pressure is what forces growth.
The problem is expectation without investment is a wild goose chase and that's exactly where we are with the Lone Star. You can't expect World Cup qualification with:
- No intentional and consistent local league development
- Players meeting 3 days before a crucial match
- Poor facilities, poor bonuses, poor planning
- Favoritism and connections influencing players selection
- Politicizing the Lone Star
- Changing coaches every year
- And then expecting the boys to beat teams that have been in camp for 2 months with sports science, data analysts, and proper friendly matches.
That's not expectation. That's fantasy.
We expect the Lone Star to beat Morocco, Cameroon, South Africa, countries that invested $20M+ in youth football in the last 5 years, while we are still struggling to pay for training pitch.
The fans do their part, we fill the stadium, we argue on Facebook, we pray. But football is not won by prayer alone. It's won on the training ground.
The truth is: Lone Star doesn't lack talent. Liberia has talent everywhere, from West Point to Kakata to Lofa. What it lacks is a system that matches the size of our expectations.
If we want high results, we need high investment:
- High investment in grassroots
- High investment in local coaches
- High investment in keeping our best players disciplined and fit
- High investment in long-term planning, not just "win next game"
Otherwise, every qualifier we will do the same cycle: High hope. Poor preparation. Painful loss. Blame the players. Repeat.
Expectation is good. But expectation without work is just disappointment waiting to happen.
But on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, none of that matters for 90 minutes.
This is our country. This is our flag. This is our Lone Star.
I am calling on every Liberian, from Monrovia to Maryland, from Nimba to Cape Mount, no party, no tribe, no beef, put it all aside and FILL THE SKD.
Let the boys see red, white and blue from wall to wall. Let Mali hear us before they see us. Let the world know that even when we argue among ourselves, when Lone Star calls, Liberia answers as ONE.
Come in your jersey. Come with your flag. Come with your voice. Tuesday is not about politics, it's about pride.
Tuesday. All of us. For Liberia."