Patience J. Gwah, the coach of Determine Girls FC, has garnered admiration from football fans both on and off the pitch.
Her journey from a passionate young footballer in southeastern Liberia to a successful coach is truly inspiring.
Growing up in Maryland County, Liberia, Patience’s love for football ignited her dreams of becoming a professional player.
In the late 90s, she began her football career at the high school level, excelling at a young age.
In 2008, she moved to Monrovia and joined Determine Girls FC, a team that was not yet recognized as a top club.
Patience credits Coach Robertson Warner for having a significant impact on her career through his extensive knowledge and support, helping her and other female players achieve their dreams.
Reflecting on the early challenges, Patience recounted the difficulties during the team’s formation.
In 2016, Determine Girls FC was relegated to the second division. However, the team made a remarkable comeback in 2017, winning the second division league and securing promotion after just one season in the lower division.
Since their promotion, Patience has enjoyed success both as a player and as a deputy coach. Her first trophy as a coach came in 2019 when she helped Determine Girls win the FA Cup as an assistant coach.
She was also part of the team’s title-winning campaign in the 2020/2021 season. As an assistant coach, Patience led Determine Girls to three league titles and two Orange Cups.
In the recently concluded 2023/2024 season, she guided her team to their fourth consecutive league title.
After earning her CAF License B coaching diploma, she became the first Liberian female coach to win two straight matches in any CAF Clubs Competitions.
Patience remains focused on helping Determine Girls qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League, set to take place in South Africa later this year.
She praises Coach Robertson Warner for his unwavering support and confidence. “Firstly, thanks to Coach Robertson Warner for the opportunity. Looking back at what we all went through with this team is a very sad and long story,” Patience said.
“Secondly, I want to break the barrier for females not being able to surpass their male counterparts in the coaching field,” She aspires to be a female coach recognized on the international stage, serving as a motivation for the younger generation.
“Especially being a female coach, it has a lot of challenges. You deal with players from diverse backgrounds and nature,” she added. Patience J. Gwah’s journey is a testament to her determination, resilience, and passion for football, inspiring many young girls to pursue their dreams in sports.
