Justin Salmon’s Bench Role Stirs Criticism for Coach Thomas Kojo

By S. Siapha Mulbah
Coach Thomas Kojo’s recent decision to invite midfielder Justain Salmon for Liberia’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Tunisia and São Tomé has drawn sharp criticism from sports enthusiasts. The controversy centers around Salmon’s complete omission from the playing field, as he was left on the bench for both fixtures, sparking debates over the value of the financial resources spent on his inclusion.
Supporters of the Lone Star have expressed disappointment, questioning the decision to allocate over $5,000 in travel and other expenses for a player who flew in from Norway, only to remain unused for 180 minutes across two important World Cup qualifiers.
Among those speaking out is former Lone Star captain Sam Johnson, who voiced his frustration with the handling of Salmon. “After spending around $6,000 to bring him from a good league in Norway to Liberia for both legs, you put him on the bench for both games without giving him a single minute of play,” Johnson remarked. “Instead, you put a county league player in front of him for both games. When this kid tries to express his feelings, they’ll label him as rude and question who he thinks he is.”
This situation has fueled a broader conversation about player management and the balance between foreign-based and locally-based players on the national team. Many fans and analysts feel that Salmon, a player with significant European league experience, deserves a greater opportunity to contribute, especially after his impressive 2024 season with Norwegian second-tier club Egersund, where he made 29 appearances, scored five goals, and provided three assists.
Despite his notable club performances, Salmon has struggled to earn consistent minutes under Coach Kojo. This most recent omission marks the fifth time that Salmon has found himself on the bench for the Lone Star, despite being called up for 12 matches. In those 12 appearances, he has only featured in seven games, raising questions about his role within the squad.
Despite the criticism, Coach Kojo defended his decision in a post-match press conference, emphasizing that national team football is a professional level where player selection is not solely based on club association. “All those invited for the two games are players that deserved to be called to the team. No one player automatically gets playing time over others,” Coach Kojo explained. “The team consists of 24 players, but that does not mean everyone will play in every match. We have confidence in all of them, and we will continue to work with them for future matches.”
Kojo’s comments reflected the challenging nature of managing a squad with 24 players, where not all can see playing time in every match. However, the controversy surrounding Salmon’s exclusion persists, with many questioning whether the midfielder will ever earn a more prominent role with the national team or if he will grow disillusioned with his continued benching.
As the Lone Star navigates the World Cup qualifiers, the spotlight remains on Coach Kojo’s decisions regarding Salmon’s involvement. With the stakes high for Liberia’s World Cup hopes, how the coach handles the situation moving forward will likely remain a subject of scrutiny.