Liberia Appoints Former Star Striker James Debbah as National Team Head Coach
Following their elimination from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Liberia is turning to the past to shape its footballing future. The Liberian Football Association (LFA) has appointed former international striker James Debbah as the new head coach of the national team, the Lone Stars, in a bid to rebuild and re-energise the squad for upcoming competitions.
The appointment, announced on Friday, marks a new chapter for Liberian football, which has struggled in recent years to make an impact on the continental stage. Debbah, a key figure in Liberia’s “golden generation” of the 1990s and early 2000s, brings both international experience and deep national pride to the role.
The 45-year-old enjoyed a successful club career in Europe, notably playing for AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, and represented Liberia during an era when the national team, led by Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, gained prominence across Africa.
Now entrusted with the task of revitalising the Lone Stars, Debbah has been charged with building a competitive and resilient squad capable of qualifying for future tournaments. His appointment is part of a broader strategy by the LFA to invest in domestic talent and leadership, with hopes of restoring national pride through football.
Debbah replaces interim coach Thomas Kojo, who oversaw the team’s recent AFCON qualification campaign. While Kojo failed to secure a ticket to Equatorial Guinea, he is credited with keeping the squad motivated during a transitional period.
Assisting Debbah in his new role will be another former Lone Stars player, Kelvin Sebwe, reinforcing the LFA’s commitment to empowering a new generation of football leaders rooted in Liberia’s footballing heritage.
In addition to coaching, Debbah has previously expressed ambitions to lead the Liberian Football Association as president — a sign of his long-term vision for the sport in his country.
Although Liberia’s absence from the 2015 AFCON is a disappointment, the move to bring in a respected former player like Debbah signals a forward-looking strategy focused on national identity, development, and competitive resurgence.