The Liberian Football Association has made an exciting announcement regarding the appointment of the new head coach of the country’s senior men’s national football team, the Lone Star.
Romanian Mario Marinica, with 28 years of coaching experience, has been chosen for the role and has reportedly signed a two-year contract with the FA.
Marinica will be working directly with the technical department to identify and develop talents for both domestic and international football.
In addition to Marinica, two foreign assistant coaches, Clwyd Jones and Ronald D. Moroka, as well as a physical therapist, Chikondi Mandalasi, will be joining the coaching staff. The team will also consist of two local coaches, including a goalkeeper trainer.
Marinica’s primary task will be to lead the Lone Stars to secure qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Morocco between July and August.
The team’s first game will be in the preliminary round, with their opponents set to be revealed on February 20, 2025, during the draw in Cairo, Egypt.
Prior to joining the Liberia Football Association, Marinica held the position of Technical Director of the Football Association of Malawi under a three-year contract.
During his tenure, the Malawi team made it to the last 16 of the Cameroon 2021 AFCON, ultimately being eliminated by Morocco.