Monrovia — Malaysia Super League club Kuching City's Liberian striker, Abu Razard Kamara, has received a late call-up to the national team of Liberia (Lone Star) from the technical staff for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Malawi and Equatorial Guinea at the SKD Stadium on November 17 and 20, respectively. Abu, who has scored 12 goals in the current Malaysian top flight, has joined his international teammates to secure an opening win in the qualifiers. The attacker was not part of the previous 23-man listing but got included after Sylvanus Nimely pulled out of the squad due to injury on club duty. A communication from the football house disclosed that the informed striker was given a late call.
Nimely informed the national team that he could not make the trip because of a late knock he got on the practice ground. Speaking to FrontPage Africa, Nimely said he feels disappointed not making the trip for such a match. "I felt pain during training and went for an ultrasound later. It was diagnosed that my muscles are tensed up. I may be able to run, but I won't be 100% fit. I cannot come under this condition just because I want to play, and I don't give my 100% to help the country get the needed result. I will be deceiving myself, the technical staff, my teammates, and most importantly the fans. I'm disappointed, but it's better that I be truthful and don't pretend I'm okay 100%. I've spoken with the coach about the situation," Nimely told FrontPage Africa via a WhatsApp call.
It can be recalled that several players of the national team have honored invitations while injured, something that has affected the performance of the national team for years. With the professional approach of Nimely, many football lovers believe other players should follow his good example. Nimely has scored 11 goals and assisted six in 27 games for the Uzbekistan club Surkhon this season. But in a release issued by the FA on the arrival of players for the match, it was disclosed that the former 72 FC player will officially be part of games in Liberia. "Four foreign-based players including Boison Wyennh De Sousa, Abrahim M. Soumaoro, Nohan Kenneh, and Albert Kolvah have touched down in Liberia as the team moves to camp". "Meanwhile, Daniel Toe of LISCR FC and Abu Razard Kamara have been called up to replace Prince Saydee and Sylvanus Nimely"'. The release said. Saydee pulled out of the squad due to personal reasons, while Nimely has been ruled out due to injury. However, Joel Johnson, Tonia Tisdell, Marcus Macauley, Abu Kamara, Kpah Sherman, and Jamal Arago have all touched down in Liberia.
It can be recalled that on June 11, 1989, in a 1990 World Cup qualifier, Liberia Lone Star pinned the Flames of Malawi 1-0 with the only goal coming from the legs of George Weah, courtesy of an assist from James Debbah, a flick on the chest to Weah. Under Coach Rueben Malola, the Flames entered the fray with two points from a 1-1 away draw to Kenya Harambee Stars and a 1-1 home draw vs the Pharaohs of Egypt. While Walter Pelham's Lone Star entered the contest with one point from two games. A 2-0 loss away to Egypt and a goalless draw at home to Kenya.
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The Malawian captain Young Chidmodze, who led the attack, and the uncompromising Lawrence Waya gave a good account of themselves despite "Operation Crush Malawi" launched by Chief Patron of Sports; President Samuel Kanyon Doe and made successful by Lone Star mobilization committee chairman; Alhaji G. V. Kromah, then President of Mighty Barrolle and Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS). Malawi, however, took plenty of positives from the loss. Head-to-head favors the Lone Star with two wins and a draw, but history plays a little part in sports because there are new players and new tactics, and certainly, things have changed between both sides. The Lone Star of Liberia first debuted in the 1982 World Cup qualifiers. Sudan, Togo, Zimbabwe, and Liberia got byes to the second round after wishing the Lone Star were paired against Guinea in Round Two. On December 7, 1980, both teams played to a goalless draw at the ATS and in the second leg, on December 21, a 55th-minute goal from Bangoura saw the Lone Star packing with Guinea cruising at the September 28, stadium to face Nigeria who eliminated them.
