Liberia: MYS Shifts Group C Matches to Sunday to Curb Match-Fixing at National County Sports Meet - FrontPageAfrica

BUCHANAN — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) has rescheduled the final Group C fixtures of the ongoing National County Sports Meet to Sunday, December 21, 2025, in a move aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the competition.

The decision, which applies exclusively to Group C, is intended to prevent match manipulation and so-called “convenience results.” With several teams still battling for quarter-final qualification, the Ministry said simultaneous kick-off times are necessary to ensure transparency and fair play.

Drama in the “Group of Death”
Group C has proven to be the tournament’s most unpredictable and fiercely contested bracket. Grand Cape Mount currently tops the group with four points, followed closely by Lofa County on three points.

With qualification on the line, Lofa County must win to guarantee progression to the quarter-finals. As part of the revised schedule, this crucial encounter has been moved to the Samuel K. Doe (SKD) Sports Complex in Paynesville, with kick-off set for Sunday, December 21.

At the same time, host county Grand Bassa, who have one point, will take on Grand Gedeh at the Doris Williams Sports Stadium in Buchanan. Grand Gedeh go into the match buoyed by a 2–0 victory over Lofa County earlier in the tournament.

Other Groups Unaffected
MYS clarified that fixtures in Groups A, B, and D remain unchanged and will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, with no alterations to venues or kick-off times.

As the group stage reaches a decisive moment, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fair competition.

“We want to ensure that results on the pitch are a true reflection of the players’ efforts,” the Ministry said, wishing all participating counties success as the race for the quarter-finals intensifies.