Over Unpleasant Treatment: Public Frustration Greets Liberia Amputee Football Team Return from International Duty

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: Football fans are expressing outrage over what they considered as a poor reception accorded the Liberia Men's Amputee Football National Team upon return from the West Africa Para Games in Nigeria.

This public outrage comes after players and technical staffers of Liberia’s amputee squad were seen struggling for comfort while traveling on a substandard bus from the Roberts International Airport to the capital, Monrovia.

The Team recently participated in the maiden edition of the West Africa Para Games in Nigeria, emerging as runners-up, and bringing home the silver medals.

But the team's success on the international stage initially sparking joy was quickly beclouded by frustrations after experiencing an embarrassing homecoming over its transportation service on Sunday, December 8, 2025.

Supporters have begun to vent their disappointments in the government, especially with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, for what some termed as a neglect of the team.

Sources close to the Liberia Men's Amputee National Team hinted K-News Sports that the low-key provided to aid the team's transportation was a rented commercial vehicle.

Fans, most of who have taken to the social media to criticize the government, believe the embarrassing situation was due to inadequate financial support provided the team during and after the tournament.

Many have urged the government to see the need to purchase a standard bus for the team, to address the long-standing transportation challenges and restore the dignity of the Amputee National Team.

K-News Sports gathered comments from the social media as frustration grows among football enthusiasts; "what! The bus at the back brought our heroes. Liberia must be joking with talent," James Thompson wrote.

"Instead of being met with dignity, these national heroes were packed into an old, worn-out commercial bus that is unfit for any national team, especially athletes who have sacrificed so much to carry the Liberian flag abroad," Journalist Korris Kangar said.

The Amputee Football Federation's 2025 Fiscal Year budget stands at US$5,000, but was an increment to US$25,000 in the 2026 draft national budget.
Yet, some sports analysts say the amount is still not sufficient to address key challenges facing both the male and female amputee teams.

The Amputee Men's Football Team has the record of being the most successful national team in Liberia. The amputee team has won three Africa Cup Nations championships, the highest by any amputee teams on the continent.

Yet, the pride seems to be eroding by dilapidated training facilities, lack of transportation service, and overall inadequate financial support to rebuild a team that was once hailed across the continent.