On March 19, 2025, Liberia and Tunisia faced off in a pivotal match in the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers, held at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, Liberia. This high-stakes game featured the Lone Stars of Liberia striving for victory to bolster their chances of making their first-ever World Cup appearance, while the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia aimed to maintain their top position in Group H.
In the lead-up to the match, Liberia found themselves in a challenging position, having garnered only seven points from two wins, one draw, and a loss over their qualifying matches. Ranked 145th in the FIFA standings, they were set to face a Tunisian side that stands 93 places above them at 52nd. With Tunisia leading Group H with ten points following three wins and one tie, the pressure was on Liberia to capitalize on their home advantage.
The Lone Stars were motivated by the recent overturning of a 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea. FIFA awarded them a 3-0 victory after it was revealed that Equatorial Guinea fielded an ineligible player. This unexpected boost, combined with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Togo, reignited Liberia's World Cup qualifying hopes.
"It is a World Cup qualifier and we are at home... we have been working very hard. So yes it is very important to know that we have to win and that is our plan," stated Thomas Kojo, Liberia's head coach, emphasizing the importance of the match to his squad's progression.
As both teams prepared for kickoff, the lineup indicated an exciting contest ahead. For Liberia, the players included key figures like Oscar Dorley from Slavia Prague, while Tunisia fielded a formidable side with Aïssa Laïdouni and goal-scoring threats like Hazem Mastouri. Tunisia, boasting a strong backline, aimed to extend their streak of not conceding any goals in their last four qualifying matches.
Kickoff was set for 4 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT), and the atmosphere was electric. As the match unfolded, Tunisia quickly established dominance. Their ability to maintain possession and launch swift attacks put Liberia's defense under severe pressure. Liberia, despite looking for a way back into the game, struggled to create meaningful opportunities.
Hazem Mastouri found success early on, scoring a goal that put Tunisia ahead and set the tone of the match. The first half ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of the visitors, sending Liberia into the locker room in desperate need of adjustments.
In the second half, the Lone Stars intensified their efforts, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. They aimed to capitalize on their home crowd's support, trying to shake off their struggles from the first half. Every moment counted as they sought to swing the momentum in their favor.
With tensions running high, both teams fought hard for every inch on the pitch. However, Tunisia's experience and defensive composure under pressure proved decisive, keeping Liberia at bay. The match was filled with moments of excitement, but the Lone Stars found it challenging to convert their efforts into goals.
Despite their fighting spirit, Liberia ultimately succumbed to Tunisia’s superior performance, falling short with a final score of 2-1. This result not only solidified Tunisia's position atop Group H with thirteen points but also pushed Liberia down into deeper uncertainty about their World Cup aspirations.
After the match, Kojo expressed disappointment but emphasized his squad's resilience. "We have to see what went wrong and fix it. We still have matches left, and we are not deterred. Each game offers us something to learn from," he reflected on the way forward.
The tournament continues to unfold with other teams in Group H vying for their chances at the World Cup. Liberia will have to regroup as they face São Tomé in their next match, desperate to turn their fortunes around and keep their hopes alive. With Group H so tightly contested, every point will be crucial as they strive to qualify for FIFA’s global showcase in 2026.
