By: Alphanso G. Kalama

Monrovia, Liberia – In the wake of a disappointing 2-1 loss to Equatorial Guinea, Liberia’s beleaguered Lone Star coach, Mario Marinica, has revealed that he once resigned from his role but was reinstated by the Liberia Football Association (LFA).
Speaking after the match at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex on October 14, Marinica addressed speculation about his future: “I resigned before; they called me back. In football, anything can happen.”
Liberia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have dwindled after three consecutive defeats, leaving Marinica’s fate in the hands of the LFA. “It’s up to the LFA now to decide if I’m the right person for the job. They might opt for someone new to spark a change,” he stated, acknowledging the growing negativity surrounding the team.
Reflecting on the challenges ahead, Marinica added, “Progress can be painful. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to rise again. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I accept that. Life will go on, with or without me.”
The match itself saw Equatorial Guinea’s Dorian Hazan netting a dramatic winner in the 94th minute, following a defensive lapse from Liberia. Earlier, Luis Nlavo had put Equatorial Guinea ahead after capitalizing on a mistake from goalkeeper Abdullai Koulibaly, who saw his clearance blocked into the net. Although Liberia equalized through William Gibson early in the second half, they couldn’t find the winning goal, culminating in their ongoing struggles at home.
With this defeat, Liberia sits at the bottom of their group with just one point from four matches, while Equatorial Guinea, now on seven points, inches closer to qualification. Meanwhile, Algeria has already secured its spot in the tournament with a perfect record of 12 points.