MONROVIA — Liberia’s Lone Star outshot and outpassed Rwanda on Friday but lost its opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier 3-1 in Kigali, a result that masked a performance offering early signs of progress under coach Mohammed Adil Erradi.
The match at Amahoro Stadium was Erradi’s first competitive game in charge, and his side spent the last half-hour with 10 men after a red card to striker Kpah Sean Sherman. Thousands of fans, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, watched the Amavubi build a two-goal halftime lead that Liberia could not overturn.
Rwanda struck in the third minute, when Abeddy Biramahire finished a precise cross from Leroy-Jacques Mickels. Mickels doubled the lead in the 33rd minute as the hosts controlled much of the first half.
Liberia answered five minutes later. Sylvanus Nimely pulled one back after Rwanda failed to clear a corner, then marked the goal with Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark “Siuuu” celebration as the Lone Star found a way back into the contest.
The lift was brief. Joy-Lance Mickels, who troubled the Liberian defense throughout the half, converted a penalty before the break to restore Rwanda’s two-goal cushion.
Liberia’s comeback hopes took a further blow in the 60th minute, when Zambian referee Hillary Hambaba showed Sherman a straight red card for a challenge on Bonheur Mugisha.
Even a man down, the Lone Star kept pressing. Liberia finished with 51.8% possession and 17 shots to Rwanda’s 12. It won the corner count 5-1, completed 407 passes to Rwanda’s 377 and won 10 tackles to the hosts’ five, while committing eight fouls to Rwanda’s 19.
Those numbers describe a side that kept the ball, created chances and refused to fold after falling behind. The goals Liberia conceded in the first half, and the chances it could not convert, decided the match.
Rwanda’s win gives it three points in Group K, which also includes Mali and Cape Verde. Mali beat Cape Verde 3-1 in the group’s other opening match.
For Liberia, the defeat leaves no room for complacency, but the performance gives Erradi a foundation to build on as the Lone Star pursues its first Africa Cup of Nations appearance since 2002.
Liberia hosts Mali in its second Group K match on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.
See more Liberia News Network stories in Google Search by adding LNN as one of your Preferred Sources.
★ Add LNN as a Preferred Source