Hellberg Pulls Out of Liberia Squad to Face Chad Due to “Personal Reasons”

Sweden-based Liberian midfielder Seth Hellberg will not face Chad after pulling out of Liberia’s squad due to “personal reasons”.

Liberia face a double header of matches that will see them host Chad in the first-leg on Wednesday, October 9, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex before the return leg in N’Djamena, Chad on October 15.

But the Liberia Football Association (LFA) revealed that the midfielder will not feature as Liberia begin their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign after he pulled out of the squad due to “personal reasons.”

Hellberg, 24, who plays for IK Brage in the Swedish second-tier league, made his debut against Sierra Leone on September 4, 2019 at the SKD Sports Complex.

The 24-year-old gained the admiration of Liberians following his debut performance. He was included in Coach Butler’s starting lineups for Liberia’s two-legged matches against Sierra Leone in the World Cup Qualifiers.

He has been replaced by outstanding Belarus-based midfielder David Tweh, who has so far scored four goals and provided seven assists for Energetik-BGU Minsk in 22 appearances.

Meanwhile, head coach Peter James Butler has recalled striker William Jebor for the two clashes. Similar to Helberg, Jebor pulled out of Liberia two-legged FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Sierra Leone due to personal reasons.

The former Wydad Athletic Club striker has so far won 18 caps and 12 goals for Liberia, since his debut against Syria in July 2009.

The full list of overseas-based players invited by coach Butler:

Defenders: Joseph Aidoo (Michigan Stars, United States), Eugene Swen (Energetik-BGU Minsk, Belarus) and Teah Dennis (Minerva Punjab, India)

Midfielders: Mohammed Sangare (Newcastle United under-23, England), Oscar Murphy Dorley (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), David Tweh (Energetik-BGU Minsk, Belarus), Allen Njie (Grasshoppers, Switzerland), Sylvanus Nimely (Spartak Moscow 2, Russia), Terrance Tisdell (Baroka, South Africa)

Forwards: William Jebor (Al Fujairah, United Arab Emirates), Kpah Sherman (PKNS, Malaysia) and Sam Johnson (Real Salt Lake, United States)

Image: Anthony Kokoi