(L-R) Coach Mario and Captain Oscar Dorley
The highly anticipated clash between Liberia’s Lone Star and Togo’s Sparrowhawks is underway today at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers. This match marks the beginning of a crucial mandate for Romanian coach Mario Marinica, who was appointed to lead the Liberian men’s senior national team with the goal of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON.
Liberians from all walks of life are watching with bated breath, hoping for a positive result in this pivotal fixture. It has been over two decades since the oldest African republic last participated in an AFCON final tournament. Liberia’s last appearance in the main tournament was in 2002, when they were eliminated in the group stage in Mali.
No coach has succeeded in guiding the Lone Star from Monrovia to an AFCON tournament in over 22 years. However, with Marinica’s recent appointment, there is renewed hope. The 59-year-old UEFA Pro-Licensed coach signed a two-year contract on February 19, 2024, with a specific mandate: to secure a spot for Liberia in the 2025 AFCON final tournament.
Upon his appointment, Lone Star was not yet in the main qualifiers; the team had to navigate the preliminary qualifiers due to their low ranking among continental teams. Marinica led Liberia through the preliminary rounds, successfully overcoming Djibouti in home and away matches.
In recent World Cup qualifiers, Marinica’s tenure has seen the Lone Star achieve notable results, including a victory over São Tomé and a draw with Namibia, both away from home. These performances have set the stage for today’s critical match against Togo.
As the Lone Star faces Togo, all eyes are on Marinica and his squad, eager to see if they can make history and secure a spot in the upcoming AFCON. The result of this match could be a significant step toward realizing Liberia’s long-awaited return to the continent’s premier football competition.
