By By: Staff Writer
MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia’s Independence Day celebrations in the U.S. have hit a major roadblock after the United States Embassy denied visas to most of the Lone Star delegation, throwing the team’s highly anticipated friendly match into chaos.
The match, scheduled for July 26 against Minnesota United II to mark Liberia’s 179th Independence Day, now faces cancellation after six out of ten delegation members were turned down during visa interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia on Tuesday.
The Liberia Football Association had initially submitted a list of 25 people. That number was later trimmed to 10 in hopes of easing approval. But the plan backfired.
According to the LFA, LFA Second Vice President Sekou Konneh was the only official confirmed to have received a visa. The rest of the delegation, including players and technical staff, were denied.
The LFA has confirmed the denials to the media. Sources close to the association told The Liberian Investigator that with most of the team unable to travel, the friendly is now expected to be canceled.
The U.S. Embassy has not made any public comment on the visa decisions.
The development is a huge blow to Liberian fans in the diaspora who were preparing to celebrate Independence Day with the national team on American soil. It also raises fresh questions about travel challenges facing Liberian sports teams ahead of international engagements.
For now, the fate of the July 26 match hangs in the balance.
credit: The Liberian Investigator
