Algeria Thrashes Liberia 5-1 in Final AFCON 2025 Qualifier

Liberia’s Lone Star suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Algeria in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in Algiers.

Defender Sampson Dweh gave Liberia an early lead, stunning the home crowd. However, Algeria quickly turned the tide with goals from center-back Aissa Mandi and veteran winger Riyad Mahrez, sending the hosts into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.

Mahrez, the 33-year-old former Manchester City star now playing for Saudi club Al Ahli, was among the standout performers for the two-time AFCON champions. Baghdad Bounedjah, 32, extended the lead in the 64th minute, capitalizing on a rebound to score Algeria’s third.

As Liberia’s resistance faded in the final stages, Amine Gouiri netted his fourth goal of the qualifying campaign in the 74th minute. Substitute Mohammed Amoura completed the rout with a stoppage-time strike, sealing Algeria’s dominance in a match that held no bearing on the group’s final standings.

For Liberia, the match was largely academic, with the Lone Star already eliminated and Algeria assured of their place in the finals. Liberia managed just one shot on target throughout the game, underscoring their struggles in the campaign.

Lone Star head coach Thomas Kojo fielded a compact midfield in his starting lineup, featuring Mo Sangare, Devine Teah, Sheikk Sesay, and local player Lawrence Kumeh, supported by forwards William Gibson and Daniel Toe. Despite the tactical setup, the team was unable to contain Algeria’s firepower.

Liberia’s campaign ended with the team at the bottom of Group E, earning just four points from six matches. The Lone Star managed one win, one draw, and four losses, extending their absence from the AFCON finals to over two decades. Liberia last qualified for the tournament in 2002, when Mali hosted the competition.

Attention now turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Liberia will open their campaign at home against Tunisia in March 2025.

In the other Group E match, Togo secured their first victory of the qualifiers with a convincing 3-0 win over Equatorial Guinea. However, with both Algeria and Equatorial Guinea already qualified for the 24-team tournament, pride was the only prize at stake.

Algeria finished the group stage unbeaten, amassing 16 points to top the table. Equatorial Guinea followed with eight points, while Togo and Liberia collected five and four points, respectively.

Morocco will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, set to kick off on December 21 next year.