Rwanda Stuns Liberia’s Lone Star 3-1 in Kigali

Liberia’s national team began its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 3-1 loss to Rwanda on Friday. The match took place at Amahoro Stadium and featured swift early pressure from the visitors. Rwanda broke through early and added another before halftime, leaving Liberia facing a challenging start.

The Amavubi extended their lead after the break and controlled large portions of the second half. Lone Star pressed for a reply, but the deficit remained intact until a late consolation. A red card then reduced Liberia to ten men, ending their hopes of a comeback on the night.

Rwanda needed only two minutes to take the lead. Abeddy Biramahire finished a move involving Leroy-Jacques Mickels to give the hosts an immediate advantage, Lone Star. Moreover, Mickels then scored himself in the 33rd minute. Sylvanus Nimely pulled a goal back for Liberia five minutes later, briefly raising hopes of a fightback. Joy-Lance Mickels restored the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot in the 44th minute.

The Lone Star faced further difficulty when Kpah Sherman received a straight red card in the 61st minute. However, Liberia created some late pressure but could not find another goal. Rwanda controlled the remainder of the contest and collected three points from their Group K opener.

The result continues a long wait for Liberia. Lone Star last appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2002. They have endured more than two decades of qualifying disappointment. Moreover, recent friendlies and increased government and corporate support have generated cautious optimism heading into the Kigali fixture. The early concession and the conceded penalty left supporters and commentators questioning. The numerical disadvantage in the second half reinforced that doubt about whether the team can convert preparation into results.

Nimely’s goal provided one of the few bright moments for the visitors. However, Coach Mohammed Adil Erradi made changes at half-time to shift momentum. Additionally, the red card limited options. Liberian voices after the match described the defeat as another familiar setback. They urged deeper structural improvements in player development and consistency, not reliance on short-term boosts, within Lone Star programs.

Liberia now returns home to face Mali on Tuesday in the second group match. Moreover, a response in Monrovia will be essential if the Lone Star hopes to remain in contention. Rwanda, meanwhile, travel to face Cape Verde with an early lead in the group.

The campaign is young.

However, Friday’s result in Kigali has set a demanding tone for Liberia’s Lone Star.

It signals the push to end Liberia’s long absence from Africa’s premier tournament.

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