It was not as easy as anticipated for hosts Liberia on Monday but the Lone Stars prevailed over São Tomé and Príncipe for a 2-1 home victory in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Complex in Paynesville.
A brilliant start saw Nicholas Andrews open the scoring inside five minutes with a bicycle kick finish. A long ball from the defense found Nelson Laomie whose hopeful cross was allowed to bounce in the penalty area by the São Toméan defense, a criticial mistake that allowed Andrews to pounce with an instinctive overhead kick from close range.
Laomie was involved less than thirty minutes later when the hosts doubled their lead. A long throw-in from the left wing caught the defense lacking once again and Jimmy Farkarlun's header deflected off a defender and looped out of reach of the São Tomé goalkeeper.
But it got difficult for the Liberian team who lost their focus and allowed the heavy underdogs to fight back. After creating a couple of chances through enthusiastic young winger Sérgio Malé, the visitors were rewarded when an excellent build up down the right wing ended with Dola's powerful finish past Liberia keeper Tommy Songo at his near post.
The second half continued to be uncomfortable for the hosts. Songo came up with a big save in the 67th minute after Ronaldo Lumungo was played in behind the Liberian defense. However the Lone Stars got the job done in the end and are now three points back of leaders Tunisia in Group H with hope for the rest of their qualifying campaign.
Group H Table
GP | Points | |
Tunisia | 5 | 13 |
Namibia | 6 | 12 |
Liberia | 6 | 10 |
Equatorial Guinea | 6 | 7 |
Malawi | 5 | 6 |
São Tomé | 6 | 0 |
The group winners qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
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