Liberians were thrilled to watch their national football team, the Lone Star, play a home game on home soil for the first time in more than three years.
The Lone Star’s dramatic 2-2 draw in the away leg of the back-to-back match against South Africa added to the excitement.
The Lone Star needed a victory or in the second leg to guarantee their qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the continent’s most esteemed nations competition.
In a group of three teams, The Lone Star had the best opportunity to qualify for the AFCON after 21 years during Tuesday’s game, but sadly, things didn’t work out.
South Africa won 2-1 against Liberia to advance to the 11th AFCON, which will take place in Cote d’Ivoire.
South Africa returned to the Nations Cup after missing the previous one in 2022 thanks to goals from Zakhele Lepasa and Mihlali Mayambela.
Bafana earned the four points required to join group-leading Morocco, who have six points, in qualifying from the group for the competition.
Lepasa successfully converted a one-on-one opportunity to beat Tommy Songo’s goalkeeper in the 19th minute to give the South Africans the lead.
Liberia, who had been maximizing their opportunities to attack, tied the score in the 35th minute when William Jebor scored his 13th goal for the national team on a low, long-range shot that goalkeeper Ronwen Williams blocked but couldn’t stop from going in.
Ansu Keita, the team’s coach, introduced Mohammed Sangare and Tonia Tisdell, who both scored in the first leg, after only switching out Jamal Arago for Allen Njie in the starting lineup.
The changes, however, failed to have the desired effect. Percy Tau drove down the left flank and sent a low ball toward the near post, but goalkeeper Songo mishandled the shot, allowing Mayambele to score on the rebound to secure the South Africans’ qualification in the 53rd minute.
