Monrovia, Liberia-The Lone Star of Liberia will need between US$5 million and US$10 million to mount a competitive campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, according to Luther Tarpeh, Head of the Lone Star National Team Mobilization Committee.
Tarpeh made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing the House of Representatives, where he appealed for stronger legislative and financial backing for the national team. He said the estimated budget covers critical areas including football administration, logistics, technical preparation, and player welfare under the Confederation of African Football (CAF) framework.
“Liberia cannot qualify on passion alone,” Tarpeh told lawmakers. “If we are serious about returning to Africa’s premier football tournament, we must invest in the structures that make qualification possible. We estimate that a proper campaign will cost between US$5 million and US$10 million.”
The Mobilization Committee Chair painted a stark picture of the team’s current financial constraints. He revealed that the Lone Star is presently indebted to hotels in four different countries following recent CAF qualifiers and FIFA international fixtures. The debts, he said, stem from Liberia’s inability to settle accommodation bills promptly during away matches.
In many cases, Tarpeh noted, players and technical staff are forced into low-budget accommodation to cut costs, a situation that undermines performance and morale. “You cannot expect top-level results when players are worried about where they will sleep or whether their meals are covered,” he said. “Our boys are competing against nations that fly charter, stay in five-star hotels, and have full medical and technical support. We are asking them to do the same with a fraction of the resources.”
Tarpeh’s appearance before the House comes as Coach Mohammed A. Erradi’s squad prepares for a crucial double-header against Sierra Leone on June 6 in Bo and June 9 in Paynesville. The fixtures are part of Liberia’s broader roadmap toward the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, which CAF is expected to roll out in phases beginning later this year.
According to Tarpeh, the US$5M–US$10M budget would cover chartered flights to avoid the fatigue of commercial connections, high-standard accommodation, daily allowances for players and staff, comprehensive medical and insurance coverage, training camps, international friendlies, and bonuses tied to performance. It would also support the recruitment of technical support staff, including analysts, physiotherapists, and nutritionists.
He argued that consistent funding is the single biggest factor separating successful qualifying nations from those that fall short. “When you look at teams that qualify regularly — Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria — the common denominator is sustained investment,” Tarpeh said. “They plan in four-year cycles. We plan match by match. That has to change.”
Lawmakers questioned Tarpeh on accountability and the management of previous funds allocated to the national team. In response, he said the Mobilization Committee is working with the Liberia Football Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to establish a transparent reporting system for all expenditures related to the Lone Star. “We welcome oversight,” he said. “Every dollar must be accounted for, and it must go toward making the team competitive.”
The appeal for funding comes amid renewed public interest in the Lone Star, driven by the emergence of young talents and ongoing grassroots programs like the LFA/Inter School U15 League. However, Tarpeh warned that grassroots progress will mean little if the senior national team continues to struggle due to financial limitations.
“You can develop all the talent you want, but if the Lone Star cannot compete, those players will leave for other nations or lose motivation,” he said. “The national team is the flagship. It inspires the next generation.”
Liberia last qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2002. Since then, the team has faced repeated early exits in qualifying rounds, often attributed to poor preparation and logistical challenges.
Tarpeh urged the Legislature to treat Lone Star funding not as an expense but as a national investment with social and economic returns. “Football unites this country like nothing else. When the Lone Star wins, the streets of Monrovia, Buchanan, Gbarnga, and Barclayville are alive. That unity, that pride — you cannot put a price on it. But you can put a budget behind it.”
The House of Representatives has yet to make a formal commitment but promised to review the proposal through its Committee on Youth and Sports. Tarpeh said the Mobilization Committee will continue engaging the private sector and diaspora community to bridge funding gaps.
For now, the Lone Star’s immediate focus remains on Sierra Leone. But as Tarpeh made clear, the long-term goal of 2027 AFCON qualification will depend on decisions made in the Capitol, not just on the pitch.
