Lone Star in High Spirit As GOL Settles Arrears And Travel Expenses

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports today, Friday, May 31, 2024, presented a cheque of US$20,000.00 to the Senior National Football team coach Mario Marinica as part of payment towards three months’ salary owed by the Liberian Government through the Liberia Football Association (LFA)

Speaking to reporters after the presentation, Youth and Sports Minister Cllr J.  Cole Bangalu said that after negotiations between the Ministry and the National Port Authority (NPA), the NPA as part of its corporate social responsibility, give $20,000.00 United States Dollars to the Ministry of Youth and Sports as part of Coach Marinica's outstanding salary.

Minister Bangalu also stated that last week, the Ministry of Youth and Sports presented US$4,000.00 to the coach as part of his contract requirements and L$1,000,000.00 towards the camping and training of the National Team.

In addition, the Government of Liberia also provided a little over US$309,000.00 to facilitate the National Team's travel to honor its two matches with Namibia and Sao Tome and Principe.

At the same time, Coach Mario Marinica is calling on all Liberians and Sports enthusiasts to rally around the team as they go into their international matches. He wants Liberians to pray for victory and wish the team the best.

He has reconsidered his decision to continue coaching the Lone Star and wants his backroom staff salaries and funding for training to be available.

The Senior National Football Team, the Lone Star, is expected to travel tonight to South Africa to play Namibia in the 2026 World Cup Qualifier and travel to Morocco to play Sao Tome and Principe in the same competition.