Liberia One Step Away from Record 4th Amputee Nations Cup Title

It may or may not look strange in some quarters, but whatever the case is, yes, Liberia Amputees have progressed to their record fifth Cup of African Nations for Amputee Football (CANAF) after pinning hosts Tanzania 1-0 in the semifinals of the 2021 CANAF in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This means that the Amputee Lone Star, record holders (three times), are just a step away from winning their historic fourth CANAF title.

A day after defeating Morocco 2-1 in the quarterfinals, a win that also automatically booked them a ticket to the 2022 Amputee World Cup in Turkey, the boys with crutches went on to give Liberians more reasons to celebrate and support them.

Star player Matthew Joe’s late winner became the ultimate tie-breaker as the Amputee Lone Star progressed to their record 5th CANAF final.

Although Liberia defeated Tanzania 2-0 during their previous meeting in Angola 2019, Thursday’s match was a different one. 

Striker Joe continues to prove that he is an exceptional player. His lone goal on Thursday summed up his total goals to seven out of four matches in this year’s edition of the continental competition.

The 24-year-old scored all two goals against Morocco on Wednesday. On the overall, Joe has now scored 12 goals in 11 CANAF matches.

During his debut appearance at the 2019 CANAF, Joe recorded five goals in seven matches as Liberia won bronze at the event.

Liberia will now face Ghana in the final, slated for Saturday. This will be the third time that both teams will have faced off in the Final, with both teams winning one apiece of the previous two final meetings.

Ghana beat Liberia 4-3 in the finals of the maiden edition hosted in Sierra Leone 2007. Later, in the 2011 CANAF finals,  Liberia put up a fight when they came from two goals down to defeat hosts Ghana 4-2 in penalties after a 3-3 draw.

In 2013, Liberia defeated Ghana in the semis to progress to the finals, where they eventually beat Angola 2-1 to clinch their third successive title.

Interestingly, Thursday’s victory came just on the eve of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Each year on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

The day raises awareness of the political, economic, social and cultural aspects disability affects people around the world. 

Liberia Amputee Record at CANAF

2007 - Runners-Up

2009- Champions

2011- Champions

2013- Champions

2019- 3rd Place Winners

2021- ??