Real Muja forward Dalphine Glao delivered a decisive moment for Liberia, scoring the lone goal in the 63rd minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Mali in the third-place match of the 2025 WAFU Zone A Women’s Tournament.
The win, which took place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, earned Liberia a well-deserved bronze medal—marking their highest finish in the competition’s history.
Glao, a product of the Liberia U-17 Women’s National Team, proved to be the difference-maker in what was a closely contested affair. Her growing influence on the national stage was once again evident as she stepped up when it mattered most.
Liberia’s path to the third-place playoff was not without controversy. In their semifinal clash against Senegal, the Red, White, and Blue suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat following a highly disputed penalty decision.
Gambian referee Fatou Ngum awarded Senegal a spot-kick early in the second half, a call that sparked outrage among Liberian fans and sports pundits alike.
Many took to social media to voice their frustration, criticizing the officiating and questioning the decision to assign a Gambian referee to a match involving Senegal—two West African neighbors with footballing ties.
Further compounding Liberia’s woes, Miatta Morris of Shaita Angels received a straight red card, forcing her side to finish the match with 10 players.
Despite the disappointment, Liberia’s squad showed resilience and individual brilliance throughout the tournament. Of the five matches they played, four Liberian players were named Player of the Match:
Jessica Quachie – vs. Guinea-Bissau
Louise Brown – vs. Mauritania
Bendu Yantay – vs. Mali (Group Stage)
Dalphine Glao – vs. Mali (Third-Place Match)
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone emerged as champions of the 2025 edition after defeating Senegal 1-0 in the final, securing their first WAFU Zone A Women’s Tournament title since the competition’s inception.
As for Liberia, the third-place finish remains their best result in the tournament—highlighting progress and promise within the women’s national team program.
