Goal Programme - Liberia Football Association - 1999

Despite ongoing political unrest, football has experienced an upturn in Liberia, which can be attributed, at least in part, to close cooperation with organisations such as the West African Football Union (WAFU), CAF and FIFA. This positive trend has been accompanied by a number of successes at international level, such as the Lone Star's first appearance at the African Cup of Nations in 1996 (a feat that was repeated in 2002). Liberia's most famous player is of course George O.M. Weah, who was voted African Player of the Year on several occasions and whose clubs included Paris Saint-Germain (France) and AC Milan (Italy). He also had a spell as coach of the Liberian national team and is currently playing club football again in the United Arab Emirates. Other household names are Nyenetu «Santos» Brown (ASEC Mimosas, Côte d'Ivoire), James S. Debbah, Joe Nagbe and Kelvin Sebwe.

Liberia was awarded one of the eleven pilot Goal projects. The artificial turf surface at the national association's Antoinette Tubmann Stadium was inaugurated personally by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter on 23 November 1999. The stadium has become the hub of all national football activities. It serves as the venue for all matches in the various national championships (senior, youth, and women's) and also hosts international fixtures, such as qualifiers for FIFA and CAF competitions. Women's football has benefited enormously from the new facilities. New leagues have been set up which have improved playing standards significantly. The project was financed by Goal and the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme. In addition to laying the artificial turf pitch, minor renovation work was also carried out on other facilities at the stadium.