An opportunistic finish by striker Kpah Sherman put Liberia in front late against Central African Republic to seal three points for the Lone Star in their 0-1 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory against Central African Republic on Monday. Following their second round opening match loss in Nigeria, the three points gives Liberian qualifying hopes a massive boost to wrap up their international break on a positive note. Meanwhile, Central African Republic, disadvantaged by being forced to host their home games on neutral ground, drop to last place in Group C.
Liberia had extra hope of getting three points on the road due to the match taking place in Douala, Cameroon rather than in Central African Republic, but the Lone Star got off to a sloppy start. Center back Abraham Soumaoro committed a poor giveaway in the 15th minute just outside his own penalty box, allowing Central African Republic’s Karl Namnganda to have a look on goal. However, the forward based in France’s fourth tier struggled to get his feet right and could only muster a weak effort that was little trouble for Liberia keeper Ashley Williams.
An uneventful first half resulted in the teams being scoreless at the break, and that trend continued for most of the second as well. It took until the final twenty minutes of the match before the next clear cut opportunities arrived for both teams. In the 73rd minute, a flick on header from an aerial ball by Central African Republic’s Delphin Mokonou found Georgino M’Vondo but the tall forward’s finish was tame and easy for Williams. Liberia nearly found the opener soon after when Jeremy Saygbe put in a low cross for fellow substitute Peter Wilson, but Wilson could not get his foot around the ball and sent his close range shot wide.
The winner came for the visitors in the 86th minute. A free kick from Terrence Tisdell went into the Central African Republic wall, but the ball was sent back to corner of the penalty area before being headed in the direction of a running Kpah Sherman. Sherman controlled the ball before finishing low past Prince Samolah in the Central African goal, and Liberia had their winner late on.
Highlights of the match are in the link below.
