LIBERIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Liberia Football Association
Annual Report January – December 2019
Founded 1936
Member: FIFA
Member: CAF
Member: WAFU Zone A
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 1
Table of Contents Page
1. Definition of Abbreviations ------2 2. Introduction ------3 3. LFA Leadership------3-5 4. Vision------6 5. Congress------6-9 A. Local B. International 6. Administration------9-13 7. Technical Development------13-15 A. Local B. International 8. Sponsorship------15-16 9. National League------16-38 A. Off Season Tournaments 10. International Competitions------38-41 A. Country/Club B. Assignments by Referees 11. Obituary------41-43 12. Report Writers ------43
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 2
1. DEFINITION OF ABBREVIATIONS Liberia Football Association LFA Antoinette Tubman Stadium ATS International Football of Association Football FIFA Confederation of African Football CAF Union of European Football Associations UEFA Executive Committee EC Executive Committee Member ECM Vice President for Administration VPA Vice President for Operations VPO Vice Chairman for Operations VCO Secretary-General SG Chief Executive Officer CEO Technical Director TD Petro Trade Incorporated PTI Samuel Kanyon Doe SKD Transfer Matching System TMS Domestic Transfer Matching System DTMS West African Football Union (Zone A) WAFU Zone A Qatar Football Association QFA Barrack Young Controllers BYC Invincible Eleven IE Liberia International Shipping & Corporate Registry LISCR FC Liberia Land Authority LLA Sports Writers Association of Liberia SWAL Ministry of Youth & Sports MYS Internal Audit Agency IAA Information Technology IT Liberia National Bar Association LNBA Most Valuable Player MVP African Nations Championship CHAN Liberia Football Coaches Association LIFOCA Africa Cup of Nations AFCON Champions’ League CL Confederation Cup CC Liberia Initiative for Empowerment LIFE Sexual and Gender Based Violence SGBV World Cup WC George Weah Technical Center GWTC
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 3
2. INTRODUCTION The LFA presents its activity report for 2019.
3. LFA LEADERSHIP President Mr. Mustapha I. Raji VPA Prof. Sekou W. Konneh VPO Mr. Wilmot F. Smith CEO/SG Mr. Isaac T. Z. Montgomery
ECM Committee Mrs. Jodie Reid-Seton Chairperson, Women’s Football Committee Mr. Nyemah Nyanway Chairman, Finance Committee Mr. Quiwu Pepci Yeke Chairman, Competitions Committee Mr. Ivan Browne Chairman, Technical and Youth Development Committee Cllr. Joseph Kollie Chairman, Referee and Legal Committees Mr. Kelvin Bayoh Chairman, Media, Marketing and Sponsorship Committee Ms. Korpo Beatrice Kpoto Chairperson, Sub-Associations and Sub-Committees Mr. Pawala Janyan Chairman, Security and Fair Play Committee Mr. Henry B. Flomo Chairman, Beach Soccer and Futsal Committee Mr. Kerlie Miller Chairman, Players Status Committee
ADDRESS Antoinette Tubman Stadium Lynch Street & UN Drive Monrovia, Liberia Contact number: +231770305992 Email address: [email protected] Website: www.lfa-lr.com https://web.facebook.com/LiberiaFootballAssociation https://www.instagram.com/liberia_fa/ https://twitter.com/Liberia_FA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2GPNSxUtHQGhhoUW8HvAGQ
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 4
MR. MUSTAPHA I RAJI President
MR. WILMOT F. SMITH MR. SEKOU W. KONNEH Vice President/Operations Vice President/Administration
MR. ISAAC T. Z. MONTGOMERY General Secretary
HENRY N. BROWNE Technical Director LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 5
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 6
4. VISION
The vision is to rebuild at all levels of Liberian football in order to create and sustain an impact internationally.
Improving good governance within the LFA and among its members Raising the standards of the national league Developing women’s football Administrative and medical training courses for clubs and other activities Referees and Coaches’ development Grassroots and youth football development (Under 6-12, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20) Developing beach soccer and creating beach soccer competitions Academies development and accreditation Developing facilities and infrastructures for local and international matches Initiating club licensing program and national league development Financial and technical support to clubs Build an investor friendly associations Development of the players and technical staff of the national teams
5. CONGRESS
A. Local:
LFA General Secretariat
Minutes of LFA Extraordinary Congress held in the conference room of the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville on July 6, 2019
Welcome remarks by LFA President: The extraordinary congress began at 10:00 AM with the welcome remarks by President Mustapha I. Raji, who then proceeded with the presentation of his address covering items on the agenda.
Remarks by the Minister of Youth and Sports Youths and Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson thanked the LFA for the congress and said that they are pleased with the level of progress being made and promised government’s continuous support to football. Minister Wilson also encouraged stakeholders to continue working with the LFA for the development of football.
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 7
Official Business of Congress President Raji formally declared the congress opened for official business and urged participants to discuss in accordance with the statutes and take decision in the interest of football development in Liberia. Please see minutes as communicated to you.
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 8
B. International
The LFA maintained cordial and productive ties with FIFA, CAF and WAFU Zone A. The LFA was duly represented at all international forums, trainings and seminars.
Liberia was represented at the 69th FIFA Congress in Paris, France on June 5, 2019 by President Raji, ECM Korpo Beatrice Kpoto and SG Isaac T. Z. Montgomery. Liberia became the only African Anglophone country to sign-up for a technical support from the French Development Agency in partnership with FIFA.
It was at this congress FIFA approved the construction of the first-ever LFA headquarters on the SKD Boulevard Road in Congo Town, which was started by the previous administration but stalled, with all payments agreed to be made directly to the contractors.
FIFA also approved the purchase of a 35-seater bus, a mini bus for guests and a pick-up each for the technical director and secretary-general and was impressed with the LFA’s reporting system following an imposition of financial restrictions. Monthly funding to the LFA was increased from US$50,000 to US$100,000.
President Raji also attended the WAFU Zone A Congress in Dakar, Senegal where he was elected as first vice president on 12 October 2019. Other trips made by President Raji have been captured in the chart below.
President Raji and SG Montgomery in Istanbul, Turkey
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 9
OCCASION VENUE DATE Meeting with the Romania Football Association to start Bucharest, May 18-22, 2019 the UEFA Assist Program that led to a mini bus for the LFA Romania Opening Ceremony of the 2019 Nations Cup Final Cairo, Egypt June 21, 2019 FIFA Strategic Development Workshop with members on Doha, Qatar December 16-17, 2019 matter relative to the increase in participation of football with emphasis on local content, strategic planning and a visit to the QFA Aspire Academy and its structure. Signing Ceremony for a technical cooperation agreement Doha, Qatar December 18, 2019 with QFA President Raji and SG Montgomery attended the FIFA Istanbul, Turkey February 14-16, 2019 Executive Summit for members
FIFA APPROVED PROJECTS FIFA approved the funding of some very important projects, including the headquarters project mentioned above from Forward Funds. The rest of the projects included the fencing and laying of artificial turf on the TUSA field in Gardnersville, SKD sports complex practice pitch in Paynesville, Doris Williams Sports Stadium in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, roofing of the ATS and the completion of the George Manneh Weah technical center in Careysburg, Montserrado County.
6. ADMINISTRATION The LFA instituted some immediate measures to make the secretariat to be efficient and effective. In order to do this, FIFA recommended the recruitment of a compliance and integrity officer. Secretary- General Montgomery employed Morris Nahndi Barsi Giah as compliance and integrity officer while Samuel Wleh was recruited as human resource officer, a new post created by the LFA. During the period, the following persons were employed either as full time employees or contractors.
EMPLOYEES NAME POSITION Danesius Marteh Communications Director Kula Coleman First Accountant Jumah Massaley Second Accountant
CONTRACTORS NAME POSITION Siaka Kromah IT Assistant James B. Sillah Videographer & Photographer Benjamin Saydee Youth Football Director Chris Parker Office Attendant Foday Cole Office Attendant Michael Cheada Stadium Attendant George Drew Stadium Attendant LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 10
Joseph Wilson Stadium Attendant Peter Freeman Stadium Attendant Waka Yankoon Stadium Attendant John M. Flomo Chief Security, GWTC Philip B. Walawulu Security, GWTC Joshua Gwee Security, GWTC Edwin Knuckles Security, GWTC
The following employees were transferred and reassigned. NAME PREVIOUS POSITION PRESENT POSITION Togba T. Rockson Security Officer Acting Procurement Officer & Ticketing Supervisor Abubakar S. M. Kamara IT Assistant IT Director Ernest D. Flan Driver to the secretary-general Chief Statistician Simeon Jackson Office Attendant Generator Operator Salia Kamara Office Attendant Media Aide Joseph G. Somah Procurement Officer Deputy Stadium Manager, Nancy B. Doe Stadium in Kakata, Margibi County Reuben R. Johnson Chief Statistician Maintenance Supervisor at the GWTC in Careysburg Timothy Garyeazon Generator Operator Warehouse Supervisor
The LFA relocated from the Professional Building, Benson Street to the ATS, United Nations Drive, Monrovia, Liberia.
INTERMEDIARY During the period, Emmanuel T. David became the first person to be certificated and licensed as an intermediary by the LFA. Intermediary, otherwise known as an agent, oversees the professional and personal aspects of a footballer's life. Paul R. David, Mohammed S. Bah, Lewis S. W. Pyne, Christopher C. Tokpah, Frank Daniels and Charles Gerald Conteh were also certificated and licensed as intermediaries. A Fifa 2018 report has shown an increased involvement of intermediaries in all international transfers completed in the international TMS since it was introduced on 1 January 2013. And for the first time, the report also includes data on intermediary involvement in women’s football.
FINANCES The LFA also established a centralized payment of honorarium with support from Green Petroleum through Montserrado sub- association to 13 sub-associations with payment of LD33,000 per sub-association. The LFA also paid US$5,000 to support LIFOCA with its training programs in the counties.
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 11
Emmanuel David was the first to be licensed in 2019
BEACH SOCCER During the period, the LFA held a two-day awareness beach soccer tournament at the Bernard soccer pitch, opposite Cuttington University in Congo Town. West Point-based Power Plant beat Monrovia City Stars (MCS) 3-1 in the grand-finale on 26 October. It was a four-team tournament in which MCS defeated Sinkor All Stars 3-1 while Power Plant eliminated Buzzi Quarters 5-3 on 25 October. President Raji, VPO Smith and ECMs Kerlie Miller and Henry Flomo and SG Montgomery, along with committee members Pappie Jones, coach Clarence Lee Chea and journalist Trojan Molley Kiazolu, attended the opening and closing ceremonies. Aqua Life provided US$1,000 for the tournament. Each team received US$50 as transportation while the rest went to purchase of medals, cash prizes and media promotion.
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 12
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 13
NATIONAL TEAM During the period, the LFA terminated the services of head coach Thomas Kojo and technical staff for their failure to reach the finals of the 2020 CHAN in Cameroon. Liberia lost 3-1 to Senegal in the preliminary round (See international competitions). Deputy coach Sam Chebli, goalkeeping Eric Glasco, trainer George Gebro, administrative manager Sebastian Collins and kitman Tommy Johnson were also dismissed along with Kojo.
On August 21, the LFA signed a one-year contract, subject to renewal, with British coach Peter James Butler after a vetting process. Butler was tasked with qualifying Liberia to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon and 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.
After a consultative meeting with the LIFOCA and interviews held with local coaches, Butler selected under-20 coach Christopher Wreh as his assistant coach, Sunday Seah as goalkeeping coach and maintained Gebro, Collins and Johnson in the previous positions.
7. TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT Several LFA staff, stakeholders, coaches and referees attended trainings during the period. A. Local ACTIVITY VENUE DATE PARTICIPANTS Beginners’ Referee Course Montserrado December 27, 2018 50 to January 3, 2019 Commissioning ceremony for FIFA-Badged Montserrado January 12, 2019 8 Referees First regional course for referees, coaches, Grand Bassa January 25-30, 221 administrators and medics and River Gee 2019 Counties Second regional course for referees, coaches, Nimba, Bomi, February 12-16, 171 administrators and medics Bong and Lofa 2019 Counties First training for new match commissioners Montserrado February 18-19, 14 2019 Training for stewards from LFA venues Montserrado February 22-23, 40 2019 FIFA Elite Referee Course Montserrado May 12-16, 2019 30 LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 14
FIFA international TMS and DTMS Workshop Montserrado June 21-29, 2019 19 Training of Trainers’ for Coaching Instructors Montserrado June 5 to July 22, 7 2019 FIFA Referee Technical Instructors/Assessors’ Montserrado August 1-5, 2019 20 Course Club Licensing Workshop Montserrado August 8, 2019 35 Refresher Coaching Course for License A, B & C Montserrado August 26 to September 3, 2019 National Level One Beginner Coaching Course Montserrado September 23-25, 114 2019 First Integrity Workshop for Clubs Montserrado September 25-26, 67 2019 Women Referee Course (participants came from Montserrado September 25-30, 25 eight counties) 2019 Refresher For Old Match Commissioners Montserrado September 30, 45 2019 Second training for new match commissioners Montserrado October 2-3, 2019 15 Integrity Workshop for Referees Montserrado October 15-17, 137 2019 Training for Beach Soccer Clubs Montserrado October 25-26, 4 2019 FIFA Instructors’ Refresher Workshop Montserrado October 29, 2019 20 LFA partnered with LIFE to raise the awareness of Montserrado December 9, 2019 500 SGBV among players, especially female, as part of the 16 days of activism against SGBV. The global theme was Generation Equality Stands Against Rape and the local theme was Join Sports, Say Enough to Rape and Promote Gender Equality. FIFA Development Manager El Hadji W. Diop Montserrado December 9-12, 50 held consultative meeting with ECMs, clubs, TD 2019 Henry Browne and SG Isaac Montgomery on the details and application of the FIFA Forward 2.0. Diop also inspected the proposed LFA headquarters in Congo Town, technical center in Careysburg and some of the turf locations, including in Gardnersville Workshop for clubs on the amendments to the Montserrado December 16-18, 35 laws of the game 2019 Four Pillars Workshop Montserrado December 22, 2019 159 Strategic Planning Retreat for Senior Staff and Montserrado December 27-28, 28 LFA Executive Committee 2019
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 15
B. International NO. NAME TRAINING VENUE DATE 1. Henry N. Browne CAF Technical Directors’ Cairo, Egypt January 22-24, 2019 Workshop 2. Alex Nagbo CAF Club Licensing Kampala, Uganda April 22-23, 2019 Workshop for English Speaking Countries 3. Henry N. Browne and FIFA Seminar for Johannesburg, April 29 to May 3, Isaac T. Z. Montgomery Technical Directors South Africa 2019 Secretary-Generals 4. Nelson G. Meanyeah China Sports Facility & Beijing, China August 7 to September Management Training 7, 2019 5. Reuben Gaye, Jay Exodus FIFA Futuro III Referee Kigali, Rwanda August 18-23, 2019 Flanjay and Isaac T. Z. Course for Technical & Montgomery Fitness Instructors 6. Sylvina W. Garnett and New FIFA Referee Cairo, Egypt September 7-11, 2019 Joel W. Doe Course 7. Aletha A. Massaquoi CAF Women’s Football Cairo, Egypt November 26-28, 2019 Administrative Workshop 8. Isaac T. Z. Montgomery FIFA Management & Port Elizabeth, October 31 to and Jumah Massaley Finance Training South Africa November 3, 2019 9. Famatta Dean, Daei Arab FIFA New License C Thies, Senegal October 12-18, 2019 Fofana and Robert Lartey Coaching Instructors’ Course 10. Isaac T. Z. Montgomery FIFA Management & Port Elizabeth, December 12-15, 2019 and Jumah Massaley Finance Training South Africa
8. SPONSORSHIP Before the coming of the new administration, the LFA national league was sponsored by Cellcom GSM now Orange-Liberia. Due to the hard work of Team Raji, the second biggest sponsorship deal was signed on 25 October with Petro Trade Incorporated (PTI), valued at L$13 million (about US$$62,000 at the time), for the LFA knockout competition, which became Petro Trade Cup for the 2019/2020 season. Petro Trade also became the fifth sponsor after Orange-Liberia, Doxxbet-Liberia, Green Petroleum and Aqua Life. These sponsors contribute immensely to the development of football. LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 16
PTI chief coordinator officer Abraham Kaydea LFA President Mustapha Raji
9. NATIONAL LEAGUE The executive committee approved the commencement of the 2019 Orange national league and all modalities put in place by legal and competitions director Atty. Benedict Yarsiah. The league commenced on 24 February 2019 at the ATS with the Super Cup between LISCR FC VS BYC FC. The match ended 2-1 in favor of BYC.
The competitions department used the format of home and away matches in all categories. Forty-six (46) clubs: 12 first division; 17 from second division; nine female division and eight from the third division play-offs participated.
For the third division national play-offs, 13 sub-associations played active league. After the regional play-offs, each region sent two clubs to participate in the national play-offs in Monrovia. The clubs were Stages FC of Montserrado, Kandakai FC of Bomi, Skill FC and God’s Power FC Grand Gedeh; Almighty FC of Nimba, Field Marshall of Bong, Sandi FC of Margibi and Beauty FC of Sinoe Counties.
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 17
The knockout competition is a component of the LFA national league and 39 clubs participated. There were 32 clubs from the male (12 first division, 15 second division and five third division) and nine female divisions.
In order to upgrade women‘s football, the LFA conducted a survey to identify problems associated with the women football development (players, clubs, coaches and support staffs). The survey led to the provision of technical support by assigned coaches from the LIFOCA. The LFA also provided US$3,937 to each female club.
CLUBS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE 2019 KNOCKOUT COMPETITION FIRST DIVISION SECOND DIVISION FEMALE DIVISION THIRD DIVISION PLAY-OFFS BYC FC Bea Mountain FC Earth Angels Tusa FC LISCR FC Bristol FC Blanco FC Power of God Watanga FC IE Determine Girls Jabu FC MC Breweries Mighty Barrolle World Girls Sandi FC Keitrace FC Mighty Blue Angels Island Queens Gilba FC. Small Town Freeport FC Professionals Sisters LPRC Oilers Nimba Kwado Hippo FC Nimba United Pags FC Senior Professionals Jubilee FC Srimex FC Naskids FC NPA Anchors Jai FC Nimba FC Tony FC FC Fassell Muscat FC Samira FC Junior Professionals Heaven Eleven
CLUBS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE 2019 ORANGE LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION SECOND DIVISION FEMALE DIVISION THIRD DIVISION PLAY-OFFS BYC FC Bea Mountain FC Earth Angels Stages FC LISCR FC BYC-II Blanco FC Kandakai FC Watanga FC Bristol FC Determine Girls Sandi FC MC Breweries Gardnersville FC World Girls Skills FC Keitrace FC IE Island Queens Almighty FC Small Town Mighty Barrolle Professionals Sisters Field Marshall LPRC Oilers Mighty Blue Angels Hippo FC Beauty FC Nimba United Freeport FC Senior Professionals God’s Power FC Jubilee FC Nimba Kwado Naskids FC NPA Anchors Pags FC Nimba FC Srimex FC FC Fassell Jai FC Tony FC Muscat FC LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 18
Samira FC Junior Professionals Heaven Eleven
FINANCIAL INTERVENTION The LFA provided financial assistance to clubs that participated in the 2019 season as captured in the chart. LFA Support to Clubs First Division Second Division Female Division US$14,637 US$8,637 US$8,587 **IE only benefited from the first phase of 2019
Additional support for club licensing achievement CLUB AMOUNT BYC US$2,000 Nimba United US$2,000
Additional payment to clubs who traveled to the southeast during the Petro Trade Cup CLUB AMOUNT COUNTY LISCR FC US$500 Sinoe Small Town US$500 Grand Gedeh Nimba United US$500 Grand Gedeh Watanga FC US$500 Grand Gedeh Jubilee FC US$500 ** Grand Gedeh **Jubilee FC returned the US$500 for failing to honor their match
Summary payments made per division to all clubs First Division Second Division Female Division US$181,644 US$128,418 US$77,283
PLAYERS REGISTERED IN THE LEAGUE
A total of 1,224 players registered to play in the 2019 Orange league as per club in their respective divisions: first, second, female and third. Thirteen (13 FOREIGN PLAYERS) took part during the season.
FIRST DIVISION CLUB LOCAL FOREIGN TOTAL LISCR FC 27 27 BYC FC 26 3 29 Watanga FC 30 - 30 LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 19
MC Breweries 29 - 29 Keitrace FC 28 2 30 Small Town 30 - 30 LPRC Oilers 29 - 29 Nimba United 29 1 30 Jubilee FC 28 - 28 NPA Anchors 27 - 27 Nimba FC 30 - 30 FC Fassell 29 - 29 Total 342 6 348
SECOND DIVISION CLUB LOCAL FOREIGN TOTAL BYC- II 26 26 Bea Mountain 25 - 25 Bristol FC 29 1 30 Freeport FC 30 - 30 Gardnerville FC 29 - 29 Heaven Eleven 29 - 29 Jai FC 29 - 29 Mighty Barrolle 30 - 30 Mighty Blue Angels 30 - 30 Nimba Kwado 29 1 30 Pags FC 30 - 30 Srimex FC 30 - 30 Tony FC 26 - 26 Muscat FC 29 - 29 Samira FC 30 - 30 Junior Professionals 26 - 26 Total 457 2 459
FEMALE DIVISION CLUB LOCAL FOREIGN TOTAL Blanco FC 21 4 21 Island Queens 29 - 29 Determine Girls 27 - 27 Earth Angels 29 4 29 Naskids FC 21 - 21 Professional Sisters 27 - 27 Senior Professionals 23 - 23 LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 20
World Girls 25 - 25 Hippo FC 16 - 16 TOTAL 218 8 218
THIRD DIVISION NATIONAL PLAY-OFFS CLUB LOCAL FOREIGN TOTAL Stages FC 27 - 27 Kandakai FC 30 - 30 Skill FC 18 - 18 God’s Power FC 25 - 25 Almighty FC 25 - 25 Sandi FC 29 - 29 Field Marshall 25 - 25 Beauty FC 20 - 20 Total 199 - 199
At the end of the season, 1,080 games were played and 1,554 yellow and 131 red cards were recorded as per club: FIRST DIVISION NAME GAMES YELLOW RED TOTAL BYC FC 22 38 4 42 Watanga FC 22 43 1 44 MC Breweries 22 30 5 35 Keitrace FC 22 34 4 38 Small Town 22 43 4 47 LPRC Oilers 22 47 1 48 Nimba United 22 43 5 48 Jubilee FC 22 46 5 51 NPA Anchors 22 34 4 38 LISCR FC 22 44 1 45 Nimba FC 22 40 1 41 FC Fassell 22 38 6 44 TOTAL 264 480 37 517
SECOND DIVISION CLUB GAMES YELLOW RED TOTAL Samira FC 32 71 5 76 Mighty Barrolle 32 50 4 54 BYC II 32 47 8 55 Bristol FC 32 52 4 56 LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 21
Tony FC 32 68 3 71 Mighty Blue 32 62 14 76 Angels Bea Mountain 32 53 4 57 Freeport FC 32 59 3 62 Nimba Kwado 32 50 8 58 Pags FC 32 64 6 70 Jai FC 32 59 5 64 Srimex FC 32 44 6 50 Gardnerville FC 32 57 5 62 Heaven Eleven 32 52 6 58 Muscat FC 32 62 9 71 Junior 32 41 2 43 Professionals TOTAL 544 891 92 983
FEMALE DIVISION CLUB GAMES YELLOW RED TOTAL Blanco FC 16 16 - 16 Earth Angels 16 21 1 22 Senior 16 15 3 18 Professionals Determine Girls 16 26 2 28 Naskids FC 16 15 1 16 Island Queens 16 9 0 9 Professionals 16 14 0 14 Sisters World Girls 16 16 2 18 Hippo FC 16 12 - 12 TOTAL 144 144 9 153
THIRD DIVISION NATIONAL PLAY-OFFS CLUB GAME YELLOW RED TOTAL Stages FC 3 6 - 6 Kandakai FC 1 2 - 2 Sandi FC 3 11 - 11 Field Marshall 1 2 - 2 Skill FC 3 7 - 7 God’s Power 1 4 2 6 Almighty FC 3 5 - 5 Beauty FC 1 2 - 2 LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 22
Total 16 39 2 41
A total of 1,250 goals were scored. See break down as per club.
FIRST DIVISION CLUB GOAL BYC FC 42 Watanga FC 26 MC Breweries 29 Keitrace FC 20 Small Town 29 LPRC Oilers 47 Nimba United 35 Jubilee FC 19 NPA Anchors 21 LISCR FC 48 Nimba FC 19 FC Fassell 20 TOTAL 355
SECOND DIVISION CLUB GOAL Samira FC 40 Heaven Eleven 29 Mighty Barrolle 37 BYC II 59 Bristol FC 29 Tony FC 42 Mighty Blue Angels 32 Bea Mountain 48 Nimba Kwado 33 Junior Professionals 23 Pags FC 39 Muscat FC 50 Jai FC 41 Freeport FC 50 Srimex FC 35 Gardnerville FC 51 TOTAL 638
FEMALE DIVISION CLUB GOAL LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 23
Blanco FC 61 Earth Angels 68 Senior Professionals 36 Determine Girls 29 Naskids FC 5 Island Queens 8 Professional Sisters 8 World Girls 22 Hippo FC 4 Total 241
THIRD DIVISION NATIONAL PLAY-OFF CLUB GOAL Stages FC 3 Kandakai FC 0 Sandi FC 6 Skill FC 2 God’s Power FC 0 Almighty FC 5 Field Marshall 0 Beauty FC 0 Total 16
At the end of the season, the following clubs emerged champions and runners-up in their various divisions, including the LFA Cup. Three clubs qualified from the third division national play-offs to the second division. IE were relegated to the third division for refusing to pay a fine of L$150,000 during the season, having failed to honor a league game away to Nimba Kwado in Sanniquellie, Nimba County in April.
FIRST DIVISION: 1. LPRC-Oilers - - - - - Champion 2. LISCR FC - - - - - Runner-up LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 24
LPRC Oilers L$1.5 million LISCR FC received L$500,000
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 25
SECOND DIVISION: 1. BYC II FC - - - - - Champion 2. Bea Mountain FC - - - - Runner-up
BYC-II received L$650,000 Bea Mountains finished received L$400,000.
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 26
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL DIVISION: 1. Earth Angels FC - - - - Champion 2. Blanco FC - - - - - Runner-up LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 27
Earth Angels received L$550,000 Blanco FC received L$315,000
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 28
2019 LFA CUP WINNERS 1. MEN 1. LISCR FC - - - - - Champion 2. BYC FC - - - - - Runner-Up
LISCR FC received L$650,000 BYC received L$400,000
2. WOMEN’S FOOTBALL 1. Earth Angels - - - - Champion 2. Blanco FC - - - - Runner-Up
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 29
Earth Angels received L$500,000 Blanco FC received L$315,000
THIRD DIVISION NATIONAL PLAY-OFF 1. Sandi FC (Margibi) - - - - Champion 2. Almighty FC (Nimba) - - - Runner-up 3. Stages FC (Montserrado) - - - Third Place
Sandi FC received L$250,000 Almighty FC L$120,000
FINANCES
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LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 31
OFF-SEASON TOURNAMENTS
The President’s Cup It is an annual off-season tournament organized by the LFA with support from the Liberia government to keep clubs in readiness for the resumption of the next national league. Twenty (20) clubs participated in the 2019 edition. The male champions received L$525,000 while the female champions pocketed L$315,000 plus gold medals and trophies. The runners-up also received silver medals plus medals for 30 players registered players and seven technical staff. Clubs were selected based on their rankings at the end of the Orange league. MALE FEMALE LISCR FC Earth Angels Monrovia Club Breweries Blanco FC LPRC Oilers Senior Professionals Watanga FC Determine Girls Nimba Kwado Stages FC Almighty FC Sandi FC Bea Mountain BYC Small Town NPA Anchors Nimba United Nimba FC Freeport FC Gardnersville FC LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 32
Men: 1. LPRC Oilers - - - Champions 2. Monrovia Club Breweries -- - Runner-Up
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 33
WOMEN: 1. Earth Angels - - - - Champions 2. Blanco FC - - - - Runner-Up
Earth Angels Blanco FC
Who Owns the Land? This tournament is organized annually by the LFA. Twelve (12) clubs (eight male and four female) participated in the 2019 edition. They were selected based on their rankings on the final Orange league tables. The LLA identified with the LFA during the tournament. Participating clubs were selected based on their rankings from the Orange league. MALE FEMALE BYC-II Earth Angels Almighty FC Blanco FC Watanga FC Senior P rofessionals LPRC-Oilers Determine Girls LISCR FC Stages FC Bea Mountain Sandi FC LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 34
MEN: 1. LISCR FC - - - - Champion 2. BYC II FC - - - - Runner-Up
LISCR FC received LS200,000 BYC-II
WOMEN: 1. Determine Girls - - - Champion 2. Senior Professionals - - - Runner-Up
Determine Girls received L$150,000 Senior Professionals
The Mutamu Cup The LFA organized an under-15 Mutamu Cup as a pilot program to set in motion the need to organize a nationwide under-15 league under the supervision of the sub-associations alongside their regular annual third division and community football leagues.
President Raji and executive committee considered this tournament as the surest way to at all times select young players for the youth teams (under-15, under-17 and under-20) up to the national team. A group of technicians under the supervision of technical department Henry Browne organized a pilot tournament in five counties (Bong, Nimba, Margibi, Grand Bassa and Montserrado) to recruit player in this category to play the preliminary rounds of the tournament and for the final to be played in LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 35
Monrovia from October 25-27, 2019. The preliminary rounds ended with teams qualifying from each county to Monrovia for the finals.
CLUB COUNTY King Sao Bosso and TUSA FC Bong Tufeie FC, Future Star and Jerry Academy Nimba Ongoal FC, Champion Academy, Harbel Dream and Gibi Academy Margibi Compound One, Bassa Academy and Bossman FC Grand Bassa Central Monrovia, ELWA FC, Gardnersville FC and Logan Town Montserrado
The Mutamu Cup ended on October 27 with One Goal FC as champions, receiving gold medals and trophy while Logan Town took the runner-up Shield.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS The 2019 Orange League produced an award gala at the end of the season. A transparent vetting process saw the nomination of individuals by stakeholders, media and public. The vetting committee was headed by Atty. J. Cole Bangalu and assisted by representatives from Orange-Liberia, Doxxbet- Liberia, LNBA, IAA, MYS and SWAL.
The glamorous ceremony to crown the lucky recipients took place on November 2 at the Monrovia City Hall beginning at 7:00PM. President George Manneh, chief patron of sports, led an array of LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 36
government officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Gbehzhongar Findley, Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson, Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, Presidential Affairs Minister Nathaniel McGill and Bomi County Representative Edwin Melvin Snowe, who is also a former LFA president.
Orange Liberia was represented by chief marketing officer Noel Chateau and sales manager Isaac Montana. Doxxbet Liberia was represented by general manager Branislav Lysonek, operations manager Michal Gabor, sales manager Zwannah Sarnor and human resource manager Michael Yorwah.
Former LFA President Sombo Izetta Wesley (Cllr.) and current and former national team players were also present. President Weah and former Lone Star coach James Salinsa Debbah jointly presented the MVP award in the first division to Christopher Jackson of LISCR FC.
The gala was sponsored by Doxxbett-Liberia, who provided US$24,000 while Orange-Liberia provided L$3 million.
ACCUMULATED PRIZES PROVIDED BY ORANGE-LIBERIA AND DOXXBET-LIBERIA Award Club Winner Prize Female Earth Angels Angeline Kieh L$575,000+2USB MVP/Highest sticks+2 Techno phones Scorer First Division LISCR FC Christopher Jackson L$475,000+2USB MVP/Highest sticks+2 Techno phones Scorer + 2013 Toyota Corolla Second Division Muscat FC Mark Yallah L$450,000+1USB MVP stick+Techno phone Best Referee First/Second Jerry Yekeh L$450,000+2USB Divisions sticks+2 Techno phones Second Division BYC-II Jestino Jackson L$275,000+1USB High Scorer stick+Techno phone First Division Joint Nimba United Varney Dukuly L$225,000+1USB Highest Scorer stick+Techno phone Second Division Nimba Kwado Josephus Mantor L$225,000+1USB Best Defender stick+Techno phone Second Division Nimba Kwado Reuben King L$225,000+1USB Best Goalkeeper stick+Techno phone Female Best World Girls Lorpu Forkpah L$225,000+1USB Goalkeeper stick+Techno phone Female Best Coach Earth Angels Jenkins Doe L$225,000+1USB stick+Techno phone LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 37
Best Referee Female Division Sylvina Garnett L$225,000+1USB stick+Techno phone First Division Best LPRC Oilers Prince Wlame L$225,000+1USB Goalkeeper stick+Techno phone First Division Best LPRC Oilers Cooper Sannah L$225,000+1USB Coach stick+Techno phone Female Division Earth Angels Rashidatu Kamara L$225,000+1USB Best Defender stick+Techno phone First Division Best LPRC Oilers Samson Dweh L$225,000+1USB Defender stick+Techno phone Best Journalist All Divisions Anthony Kokoi L$225,000+1USB stick+Techno phone Second Division BYCII Mouctarr Fofana L$225,000+1USB Best coach stick+Techno phone
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 38
10. INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS During the period, Liberia took part in several competitions and international friendlies. NO. COMPETITION GAME VENUE DATE 1. 2019 AFCON Qualifiers DR Congo 1 VS Liberia 0 Kinshasa March 24, 2019 2. International Friendly Ivory Coast 1 VS Liberia 0 Abidjan March 26, 2019 3. International Friendly Equatorial Guinea 1 VS Liberia 1 Malabo July 21, 2019 4. 2020 CHAN Qualifiers Liberia 1 VS Senegal 0 Monrovia July 28, 2019 5. 2020 CHAN Qualifiers Senegal 3 VS Liberia Dakar August 3, 2019 6. Female Under-20 Friendly Gambia 3 VS Liberia 2 Banjul August 6, 2019 7. Female Under-20 Friendly Gambia 0 VS Liberia 1 Banjul August 9, 2019 8. 2019/2020 CAF CL LPRC Oilers 1 VS Generation Foot Monrovia August 11, 2019 (Senegal) 0 9. 2019/2020 CAF CC Maranatha (Togo) 3 VS LISCR FC 0 Lome August 11, 2019 10. 2019/2020 CAF CL Generation Foot 3 VS LPRC Oilers 0 Thiès August 24, 2019 11. 2019/2020 CAF CC LISCR FC 0 VS Maranatha 0 Monrovia August 25, 2019 12. 2022 WC Qualifiers Liberia 3 VS Sierra Leone 1 Paynesville September 4, 2019 13. 2022 WC Qualifiers Sierra Leone 1 VS Liberia 0 Freetown September 8, 2019 14. WAFU Nations Cup Finals Sierra Leone 1 VS Liberia 0 Thiès, Senegal September 29, 2019 15. Friendly International Botswana 0 VS Liberia 0 Gaborone September 30, 2019 16. WAFU Nations Cup Finals Liberia 1 VS Niger 0 Thiès, Senegal October 6, 2019 17. WAFU Nations Cup Finals Guinea 1 VS Liberia 0 Thiès, Senegal October 9, 2019 18. 2021 AFCON Qualifiers Liberia 1 VS Chad 0 Paynesville October 9, 2019 19. 2021 AFCON Qualifiers Chad 1 VS Liberia 0 N’Djamena October 13, 2019 20. Friendly International Egypt 1 VS Liberia 0 Alexandria November 7, 2019 21. Female Friendly Liberia 3 VS Guinea 3 Monrovia November 25, 2019 22. WAFU Under-20 Gambia 1 VS Liberia 0 Conakry, November 27, 2019 Tournament Guinea 23. WAFU Under-20 Liberia 1 VS Mali 1 Conakry, November 30, 2019 Tournament Guinea LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 39
24. Female Friendly Sierra Leone 2 VS Liberia 2 Makeni December 18, 2019 25. Female Under-20 Friendly Sierra Leone 2 VS Liberia 0 Bo December 18, 2019 26. Female Friendly Rising Queens VS Liberia 8 Makeni December 20, 2019 27. Female Under-20 Friendly Mogbewma Queens 0 VS Liberia 1 Bo December 20, 2019 28. Female Friendly Mahmoud FC 1 VS Liberia 5 Makeni December 22, 2019 29. Female Under-20 Friendly Kahunla Queens 0 VS Liberia 5 Bo December 22, 2019
Senior female national team in Sierra Leone Angeline Kieh in action against Sierra Leone
LPRC Oilers LPRC Oilers VS Generation Foot of Senegal
LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 40
LISCR FC VS Maranatha Liberia VS Senegal in CHAN
Liberia VS Ivory Coast in Abidjan Liberia VS Equatorial Guinea in Malabo
REFEREES During the period, the indemnities for referees were increased from US$20 to US$25 for first division, US$15 to US$18 for second division and US$12.50 to US$14 for the female division. Sylvina W. Garnett and Joel W. Doe were admitted as FIFA-badged referee and assistant referee respectively. Our referees also took part in several international competitions.
COMPETITION REFEREE VENUE GAME DATE 2020 CHAN Qualifiers Hassan Corneh, Johnson Bissau, Guinea Bissau 0 VS Mali July 27, 2019 Gbartea, Joel Doe and Guinea 4 George Rogers Bissau All-African Games Finals Jerry S. Yekeh Rabat, Nigeria 1 Burkina Faso August 16, 2019 Morocco 1; Senegal 2 VS Burundi 0 August 24, 2019 2019/2020 Caf Hassan Corneh, Johnson Conakry, Santoba (Guinea) 3 VS August 23, 2019 Confederation Cup Gbartea, Sekou S. Kanneh Guinea Niger Tornadoes and George S. Rogers (Nigeria) 3 2019 CAF Under-23 Jerry S. Yekeh, Johnson Conakry, Guinea 1 VS Ivory Coast September 10, 2019 Qualifiers Gbartea, Abraham Guinea 2 Fahnbulleh and George S. LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 41
Rogers 2019/2020 CAF Hassan Corneh, Johnson Kumasi, Ashanti Kotoko 2 September 15, 2019 Champions League Gbartea, Sekou S. Kanneh Ghana (Ghana) VS Etoile du and Jerry Yekeh Sahel (Tunisia) 0 2020 CHAN Qualifiers Jerry Yekeh, Johnson Dakar, Senegal 1 VS Guinea 0 September 21, 2019 Gbartea, Joel W. Doe and Senegal Hassan Corneh WAFU Nations Cup Finals Hassan Corneh and Sekou Thies, Guinea Bissau 0 VS October 3, 2019 Kanneh Senegal Guinea 2 WAFU Under-20 Hassan Corneh and Joel W. Conakry, Senegal 4 VS Sierra November 24, 2019 Tournament Doe Guinea Leone 1; November 29, 2019 Senegal 1 VS Mauritania December 7, 2019 1 Sierra Leone 0 VS Gambia 0; Gambia won 8-7 on post-match penalties
11. OBITUARY During the period, some distinguished personalities, who contributed to the development of Liberian football, departed this world. May God grant them eternal rest, amen.
NO. NAME POSITION DIED 1. Paul Emmanuel Mulbah Former VCO January 6, 2019 2. Senator Geraldine Doe- Former LFA ECM February 9, 2019 Sheriff 3. Representative Adolph Former LFA VPO March 25, 2019 Akwe Lawrence 4. Lackay Massaquoi Class “B” Referee March 30, 2019 5. Mark Gibson Former Liberia International April 11, 2019 6. Edwin Boakai NPA Anchors Goalkeeper June 17, 2019 7. Abraham Sheriff Class “A” Referee August 29, 2019 LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 42
8. Gabriel Johns Former Liberia Deputy Coach August 30, 2019 9. Jitu Singh Jai FC President November 12, 2019 10. Dominic Vava George Former Liberia Head Coach December 13, 2019 11. Experience Sayon Davies Former Liberia International December 25, 2019 12. Lartee Jackson Former Liberia International December 28, 2019
Paul E. Mulbah Geraldine Doe-Sheriff Adolph A. Lawrence
Lackay Massaquoi Mark Gibson Edwin Boakai
Abraham Sheriff Gabriel Johns (with trophy) Jitu Singh LFA January - December 2019 Annual Report Page 43
Dominic Vava George Experience Sayon Davies Lartee Jackson
PREPARED BY NAME POSITION Isaac T. Z. Montgomery Secretary-General/Supervisor John Bonah Deputy Secretary-General Danesius Marteh Communications Director Abubakar S. M. Kamara IT Director Ebenezer Stanley Konah Referee Director Atty. Benedict Yarsiah Legal/Competitions Director Alex Nagbo Protocol Manager/Club Licensing Director Francis A. Tamba Women’s Football Director James Payne Protocol/Club Licensing Officer