MONROVIA – Liberia national team head coach Mohammed Erradi has officially named his first Lone Star squad ahead of the upcoming international friendlies against Sierra Leone.
By Christopher C. Walker | christopherc.walker@frontpageafricaonline.com | 0777898224
The handed a shock recalls to experienced campaigners Kpah Sherman and Jamal Arago as he begins crucial preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
The squad, which features a strategic blend of foreign-based professionals and home-based talents, will travel to face Sierra Leone on June 6 at the Southern Arena in Bo, before hosting the Leone Stars for the return leg on June 9 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Erradi’s maiden squad announcement has generated intense chatter among local football enthusiasts, with the unexpected return of veteran striker Kpah Sherman and utility defender Jamal Arago emerging as the major talking points.
The Return of the Veterans
Sherman returns to the national team fold after a three-year international absence.
The Kuala Lumpur City FC forward last featured for Liberia in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Malawi in 2023, and had since remained on the sidelines despite previously expressing his willingness to wear the national colors whenever called upon.
Now 32, Sherman brings invaluable top-tier experience to the Lone Star vanguard.
During his tenure in Malaysia, he has established himself as one of Liberia’s most prolific foreign-based forwards, netting 64 goals and accounting for 21 assists in 125 appearances.
For Liberia, Sherman has earned 21 caps and scored two goals.
His re-inclusion is expected to inject leadership and clinical finishing into an attacking line that also features Peter Wilson (Oakland Roots),
Ayouba Kosiah (FK Radnik Surdulica),
Sulahmana Bah (Zed FC), Daniel Nyemah (CD Costa do Sol) and local based wonder-kid Ralph Weah (Bea Mountain)
Another notable roster inclusion is robust defender Jamal Arago, who returns to the national team setup for the first time since Liberia’s grueling AFCON qualifier against Equatorial Guinea in 2023.
The 32-year-old center-back, who currently plies his trade for Al Ta’awon in the Libyan Premier League, is expected to bring defensive stability to a backline unit that includes Emmanuel Fully (Slavia Prague), Natus Swen (FC Sheriff), Sebastien Teclar (Jamus FC), Meshach Greene (Paynesville FC), George Wallace (KF Kora), Albert Swen (Heaven Eleven), and Philip Tarnue (Minnesota United II).
In goal, Erradi has selected Junior Yeanaye of Wologisi FC, Ashley Williams of Bea Mountain FC, and Amos Wesseh of Rohda Raalta.
The inclusion of Wesseh is particularly significant, as the shot-stopper could make his highly anticipated debut on Liberian soil if selected for the Monrovia fixture.
Dynamic Midfield and Notable Absences
The midfield engine room will be orchestrated by some of the country’s most recognizable international talents, including Slavia Prague’s dynamic duo of Murphy Dorley and Divine Teah, alongside Kindness Cole of Al-Hilal, Nohan Kenneh of Tranmere Rovers, Jeybay Konneh of Jamus FC, and Josiah Cea of FC Fassell.
However, the squad will be noticeably thin in key areas due to physical setbacks.
In-form defender Sampson Dweh and midfield anchor Solomon Tweh have both been omitted from the list due to minor injuries.
Team medical officials confirmed that the decision was made to allow both players sufficient time to recover fully ahead of club pre-season tours and upcoming competitive continental fixtures.
The Liberia Football Association (LFA) also noted that several other unnamed overseas players were handed provisional call-ups but will be unavailable for the double-header friendlies due to logistical and scheduling conflicts.
The upcoming matches will provide Coach Erradi with his first real-time window to assess his technical depth in a high-stakes match environment and begin implementing his tactical philosophy ahead of the competitive AFCON qualifiers.
For many supporters, the recall of seasoned veterans like Sherman and Arago, juxtaposed with the continued reliance on rising stars like Teclar and Teah, signals a calculated tactical transition aimed at maximizing Liberia’s chances on the continental stage.
Goalkeepers
Junior Yeanaye — Wologisi FC
Ashley Williams — Bea Mountain FC
Amos Wesseh — Rohda Raalta
Defenders
Emmanuel Fully Slavia — Slavia Prague
Natus Swen — FC Sheriff
Jamal Arago — Al Taawon Club
Sebastien Teclar — Jamus FC
Meshach Greene — Paynesville FC
George Wallace — KF Kora
Albert Swen — Heaven Eleven
Philip Tarnue — Minnesota United II
Midfielders
Divine Teah — Slavia Prague
Murphy Dorley — Slavia Prague
Kindness Cole — Al-Hilal
Jeybay Konneh — Jamus FC
Nohan Kenneh — Tranmere Rovers
Josiah Cea — FC Fassell
Forwards
Peter Wilson — Oakland Roots
Ayouba Kosiah — FK Radnik Surdulica
Kpah Sherman — Kuala Lumpur City FC
Sulahmana Bah — Zed FC
Daniel Nyemah — CD Costa do Sol
Ralph Weah — FC Bea Mountain
