Liberia national football team ‘Lone Stars’ slumped to a 3-1 to defeat at the hands of Congo-Brazzaville in their 2019 AFCON qualifier on Thursday evening.
The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute through Merveille Ndockyt who timed well to powerfully connect a Boran Kimbaba cross past shot-stopper, Boison Wynney.
Lone Stars, meanwhile, were second best for most of the first half, and they struggled to get their passing game going and were often pressured into making simple errors.
Thomas Kojo’s men hardly troubled the opposition goalkeeper Chancel Massa and were restricted to a couple of long-range efforts in the opening 30 minutes, none of which were on target.
Lone Stars failed to register a single effort on target in the opening 45 minutes and struggled to provide service for William Jebor and Kpah Sherman.
Despite scoring the only goal of the half, the home side failed to test Wynney for the rest of the half, although they were more threatening than the visitors.
Liberia made a positive start in the second half, and in the 47th minute they were back on level terms. Kemoh Camara marauded down the left wing before squaring it for Thomas Johnson who placed his shot into the far bottom corner of the goal with great composure.
Allen Njie should have scored the second goal for Stars in the 54th minute but the midfielder ballooned his effort over from 12-yards out.
The home side restored their lead in the 61st minute courtesy of Prince Ibara’s fine header from Baron Kimbaba’s well laid cross.
Congo sealed the win in the 88th minute with another fine header from Prince Oniangue who connected a perfect free-kick taken by Fernand Mayembo.
Lone Stars are still without a win in their qualifying campaign after three games, having drawn 1-1 with DR Congo in their second game earlier last month and now sit bottom on the group log.
Here’s how they started:
Congo Starting XI: Chancel Massa (GK) – Marvin Baudry, Fernand Mayembo, Baron Kibamba, Romaric Etou – Prince Oniangue, Amour Loussoukou, Merveil Ndockyt – Junior Makiesse, Thievy Bifouma, Prince Ibara.
Liberia Starting XI: Boison Wynney (GK) – Joel Johnson, Adolphus Marshall, Teah Dennis, Kemoh Kamara – Saah Nyumah, Allen Njie, Murphy Oscar Dorley – Sam Johnson, Kpah Sherman, William Jebor.
