Albert Korvah discusses his rapid rise to prominence with the Liberia national team and Rivers United

It did not take long before Albert Korvah made his presence known in Rivers United’s 3-0 CAF Confederation Cup group stage victory against Angolan club Académica Lobito on Sunday. Only a minute after coming on as a substitute, Korvah dashed quickly to latch on to a through pass from midfielder Joseph Onoja before his toe poke shot attempt was closed down by the Académica goalkeeper. The attacker continued to be a pest to the opposition defense with his direct style of play, quickness and high work rate in the victory.

The last year has seen a rapid rise to the highest levels of African club and national team football for the 24-year-old from Monrovia and his performances on big occasions are a big reason. It was in September 2023 when Korvah seized his opportunity to make a major impression as a member of Liberian club champions Watanga FC. Matched up against Rivers in the 2022-23 CAF Champions League first round, Albert described to Pan-Africa Football how a strong performance in the first leg led to his first major transfer abroad to the Nigerian club and why Rivers was an appealing destination in the video below:

Albert Korvah in action for Rivers United against Angolan club Académica Lobito in the 2023-24 CAF Confederation Cup group stage

Despite initial issues with adjusting to life at his new club in Nigeria, Korvah quickly found his feet on the pitch and praised Rivers United for treating him well during his adaptation. It also helped that he was soon joined by former Watanga FC teammate Mark Gibson, another promising Liberian attacker who Albert describes as a brother. Albert and Mark were unable to play a part for Rivers during their run to the Confederation Cup quarterfinals that season but the situation allowed both to focus their efforts on the Nigeria Premier Football League campaign. Korvah gradually earned his way into the starting eleven of head coach Stanley Eguma over the course of the 2022-23 season and his first goal for Rivers arrived in April with an instinctive curled finish in a 1-0 NPFL victory over Dakkada FC.

After a mix of starts and substitute appearances to that point, the goal against Dakkada cemented Korvah’s place in the starting eleven. He went on to start the final ten matches for Rivers in the season, a stretch where the club went undefeated and qualified for this season’s CAF Confederation Cup by virtue of their position in the inaugural edition of the NPFL Super 6 playoffs. For his efforts, Korvah was awarded Best Foreign Player by journalists who cover the Nigerian top tier.

The list of accolades continued to grow for Albert and only a year after taking the pitch for Watanga against his current club, the powerfully built attacker was representing his nation with a debut senior national team appearance in a September friendly match against Ghana. Liberia coach Ansumana Keita further rewarded him with a start against recent FIFA World Cup semifinalists Morocco in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying a month later, a match where Korvah came close to scoring his first goal for the Lone Stars. Most recently in November he appeared in both of Liberia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches including a start in the second match against Equatorial Guinea. While the results in November did not go in Liberia’s favor, Korvah enjoyed the pressure that comes with representing his nation.

“We had a lot of challenges…we had a lot of pressure back home. When you’re playing at home people expect you to do one hundred percent. But the pressure and support from Liberians was great and I had a good experience.” 

Albert Korvah (#12) stands during the playing of the national anthem before Liberia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Equatorial Guinea in Monrovia.

Representing his country in qualifying for the biggest tournament in world football was the result of Korvah taking advantage of his opportunities in CAF club competitions and with Rivers United. However these opportunities did not come easily for Albert who counted on his determination and hard work to overcome difficult moments earlier in his career. After making his name as a young player in Liberian football with Monrovia club Keitrace FC following success with the club’s feeder team, an extended spell out due to injury delayed his progress as well as a trial with an Indian club that did not work out.

In our conversation, Albert pointed to his family as a source of positive support whenever he encountered difficulties or questions in his career. His father, originally from Lofa County in the north of Liberia, encouraged Albert’s love of the game and took him out to watch Arsenal’s matches in the English Premier League back when he was a young child and the family did not have a television. After Albert began playing football seriously at the age of 8, his father attended every match and continued to support his efforts to play the sport professionally as Albert describes below.

With Liberia’s next matches in World Cup qualifying not taking place until June 2024, Korvah will look to build on his success from last season by continuing to contribute for Rivers United. The club from Port Harcourt will return to Confederation Cup action with a duel in Ghana against Dreams FC on Sunday before returning home for another big match against what is anticipated to be their toughest opponent in Group C, Tunisia’s Club Africain. Albert is now included in the Confederation Cup squad after being unable to take part in Rivers’s run to the quarterfinals last season (due to previously appearing for Watanga in the Champions League) and is eager to help his club go farther this time around.

“I have a lot of dreams and goals… I would love to see myself being the best player in Africa. That’s the reason why I always keep working and it is a part of me.” 

As for his future goals, Albert referred back to his love of Arsenal and admiration of Thierry Henry by stating that his dream is to play in the English Premier League and be the best player in Africa. He admitted that there is a long way to go but by striving to reach that level it motivates him to continue his hard work and maintain his confidence wherever he plays.

Describing himself as a player, Albert highlighted his high work rate off the ball, his skill in 1-on-1 situations and ability to fulfill both attacking and defending duties within the team structure. Now that Korvah is an established talent for both club and country thanks to his performances over the past year, the opportunities for him to display his skills at a high level in African football will continue to arrive in the 2023-24 campaign for the versatile attacker and his dedication on and off the pitch suggests there is plenty more to come.