In that qualifier, the team was paired with Guinea and Senegal with Senegal booking the only ticket as the Lone Star ended winless in their four matches, losing two and drawing two.

The Lone Star made a return to the qualifiers in 1976 and continued competing in 1982, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and the ongoing 2023 qualifiers. A total of 22 Afcon qualifiers, qualifying just twice in 1996 and 2002 in South Africa and Mali respectively.

In the 1996 qualifier, the Lone Star ended second to Tunisia Carthage Eagles in Group 2. Both teams ended with 10 points with the Tunisians topping the Group on superior goal difference with +5 to Liberia’s +1.

For the 2002 qualifiers, the Lone Star first eliminated Cape Verde on a 3-1 goal aggregate before ending as Group 2 winners over South Africa with a point; 13 to 12. Both teams celebrated at the SKD on the final day when they shared the spoils; 1-1 to see them through.

The first time the Lone Star Qualified from the preliminaries was when they played Gambia to a 0-0 draw in the 1982 qualifier at the ATS and then recorded a 1-1 draw away in Banjul to qualify for the next stage on the away goal rule where they faced Morocco. It is worth noting that the first leg with Gambia was officiated by Liberian referee Mark Dorboh.

Morocco eliminated Liberia on an 8-1 goal aggregate. Liberia’s first win in the history of the qualifiers was during the 1986 qualifier when they defeated Mauritania 3-1 on November 23, 1984, at the ATS.

Overall, in the 56 years of competition; from the 2-2 draw with Guinea on January 26, 1967, to the 2-0 loss to Morocco at home away from home on June 13, 2022, the Lone Star has played 97 matches, winning 27, losing 47 and drawing 23.

They have scored 92 goals and conceded 145. South Africa is their next opponent on Friday, March 24, at the Orlando stadium in Johannesburg. Culled from  Liberian  Sports  International. Credit: Wleh Bedell