The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has successfully hosted the 2024 Football Awards, celebrating top performers from the 2023/2024 football season. The prestigious event took place last Saturday evening at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, with a colorful ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions from players, coaches, teams, and media personnel.
The event, organized by a committee led by Christopher Hayes Onanuga, honored individuals across 27 categories, acknowledging their roles in the growth and development of football in Liberia. The top accolades for the night went to Abdullah Yaya Bility of Heaven Eleven Football Club, who was named Men’s MVP, and Erica Parson of Shaita Angels, who received the Women’s MVP award.
In his opening remarks, Onanuga, the committee chair, reassured the audience about the transparency of the voting process. He revealed that the committee had partnered with a professional audit firm and consulted with individuals of high integrity to ensure a fair and transparent procedure. To further validate the authenticity of the results, the audit firm presented the official voting records on stage before the ceremony began, allowing the audience to see the full transparency of the process.
Shaita Angels emerged as a dominant force in the women’s categories, with several of their players taking home awards. Erica Parson was named Women’s MVP, while Monroe Winn claimed the title of Best Women’s Coach. Albertha Pratt was honored as Best Women’s Goalkeeper, Faith Chichi as Best Women’s Defender, and Mary Nuno was awarded Best Foreign Female Player.
The men’s division also saw notable winners. Abdullah Yaya Bility of Heaven Eleven was awarded Men’s MVP in the First Division. In the Men’s Second Division, Jonathan Freeman of Discoveries SA took home the MVP award, while Dominic Dorbor, Abraham Sesay, and Jah Nyanforh of Black Man Warriors were recognized as Best Goalkeeper, Best Coach, and Best Defender, respectively.
Watanga FC also had a strong showing, with Cooper Sannah named Best Men’s First Division Coach and Teddy Kollie as Best Goalkeeper in the same division. Ishmael Dumbuya of Bea Mountain received the Best Male Foreign Player award.
Young talent was also celebrated, with Makasian Siryon of Ravia Angels named Best Female Young Player, and Emmanuel Sieh of Mighty Barrolle taking home the Best Male Young Player award. Eugene Swen of Paynesville FC was awarded Best Defender Men’s First Division, while Clement Zubah of Mighty Barrolle was the Highest Goal Scorer in the Men’s First Division. In the Men’s Second Division, Matthew Theo Williams earned the Highest Goal Scorer award.
In the women’s category, Mabinty Camara of Determine Girls was named Highest Goal Scorer in the Women’s Division, and Just FC was awarded the Fair Play Women’s Team of the Year for their exemplary conduct throughout the season.
The ceremony also honored media personnel with Timothy Toby receiving the title of Best Photo Journalist and T. Kla Wesley awarded Best Sports Reporter.
While the awards were largely celebrated, some individuals have raised concerns about the process, with certain players and coaches questioning the transparency and fairness of the voting procedure. Despite this, the LFA committee stands by its process, ensuring that all efforts were made to deliver an honest and accountable awards ceremony.
The 2024 LFA Awards Ceremony concluded with a sense of accomplishment for the winners, but also with some lingering questions, reflecting the competitive nature of Liberian football and the passion it ignites across the country.
