As usual, the matches for the independence celebration across the globe involves two of Liberia’s traditional clubs, Mighty Barrolle and Invincible Eleven, while others set up a team comprising of Liberians to play against different nationalities.

In the repeat of last year’s independence celebration, Liberian footballers in Malaysia will group themselves into two to play the I.E. and Barrolle match. The former head coach of FC Fassell, Matthew Julutweh, who is currently based in Malaysia, said the match is expected to bring together several Liberians in and around Malaysia. Julutweh, who will serve as the head coach of Mighty Barrolle during the match, said the game will be used for Liberians to meet each other.

“It is going to be an exciting match here,” Julutweh told The Bush Chicken. “We are playing I.E. vs Barrolle because they are the most popular clubs in the country. They are the original founders of Liberian football. They gave birth to many established clubs today. There will be people from in Malaysia and around that will grace the occasion. We all will use this opportunity to meet each other after a long time of absence.”

Just like in Malaysia, Liberians in Minnesota in the U.S. are set to play the traditional rival match between I.E. and Mighty Barrolle. According to a Liberian in Minnesota, Cyrus Ralston, the game has been played over the years as part of the celebration to bring Liberians together.

Ralston said the match also serves as a fundraiser as clothes and tickets to the games are sold. He said there are plans to use the funds to assist the Liberian-based football clubs.

“Here, the match is very important as people consider it to be the traditional rivalry match,” Ralston said. “We have some top players that come to participate.”

Besides the traditional I.E. – Barrolle matches, Australian, and Indian-based Liberians are using the Independence Day celebration to put together a Lone Star team to play other West African nations.

The former Shillong Lajong forward, James Gbilee, who is currently based in India, said Indian-based Liberian players have already put together a team to play against a group of Nigerian players as part of the Independence Day celebration.

The 5 ft “9” attacker, who is the head of Liberian players in India, told The Bush Chicken that his team is fully prepared and are going for a win against their West African counterparts.

“It’s a match for fun, but we have to win,” he said. “It’s our independence, the day we were set free. Anything other than a win will spoil our celebration. We have been preparing for the match, and we are set to pull out the victory to celebrate in style.”

Meanwhile, Liberians based in Australia are set to compete in a six-team tournament that is being organized by the Liberians in Western Australia. The tournament will bring together teams from New South Wales, South Australia, Northern Australia, Western Australia, Queens Island, and Victoria.

The teams from the different states are made of Sudanese, Sierra Leoneans, Nigerians, and Ghanaians. The six teams will be placed into two groups and the two group toppers will play in the final.

Photo courtesy of Rockie Saywray