"Lone Star Faces Late Prep Fund Issues for AFCON 2025 Qualifiers"

The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has disclosed to receive the much-needed funds for the National Team to kick start the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers at the dying minute of taking on Togo and Algeria.

The President of the Liberia Football Association, Mustapha Raji, confirmed on a local media that the government of Liberia allocated a total of Four-Hundred Fifteen Thousand, Ninety-Hundred Twenty Seven United States Dollars ($415,927.00USD) as financial support towards the team with just three days to kickoff the qualifiers.

Raji further emphasized that due to the late allocation of the funds, the situation has affected the timely departure of the national team as players are expected to leave the country this Tuesday, September 3, to honor the match against Togo on Friday, September 6, 2024.

"The National Team has always faced issues with financial support. This has lasted from government to government, and we just received the funds to transport the team and prepare ourselves for the matches. The team has not departed the country, we are anticipating the departure of the team this evening at 5:00 PM." The LFA President stated on Tuesday, September 6.

However, the Head Coach, Mario Marinica, has selected a squad of 25 players for the matches against Togo and Algeria, with a mix of local-based and foreign-based players. The team is set to depart the country with the expectation of securing a victory.

Lonestar Head Coach 

The allocation by the government that has been criticized by many sports lovers for the late delivery will cover travel expenses, training camps, equipment, and other essential needs for the national team.

Meanwhile, sports pundits believe the situation may affect the Lone Star's time of getting adjusted to the environment before the kickoff of the game with just three days to go the match as the team is yet to arrive in Togo to begin the pre-match training.