Published: September 4, 2025
TUNIS — Tunisia will look to extend their flawless defensive record when they host Liberia on Thursday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Monastir.
Sami Trabelsi’s side leads Group H with 16 points from five wins and a draw, four points clear of second-place Namibia. The Carthage Eagles have scored nine goals without conceding in six qualifiers.
Trabelsi, in his second stint as coach after being reappointed in February, has overseen victories over Liberia and Malawi, along with mixed friendly results — a win against Burkina Faso and a 2-0 loss to Morocco. Tunisia have lost only twice in their last 10 competitive matches, scoring 11 goals and conceding six.
The North Africans also hold a strong head-to-head advantage against Liberia, winning five of their last seven meetings. A seventh consecutive clean sheet in qualifying would further strengthen their grip on the group.
Liberia enter the clash with renewed confidence. The Lone Stars sit third in Group H with 10 points from three wins, a draw and two defeats. Coach Thomas Kojo’s side received a lifeline earlier in the campaign when FIFA awarded them a 3-0 win over Equatorial Guinea for fielding an ineligible player.
Since then, Liberia have drawn with Namibia, beaten São Tomé and Príncipe, and narrowly lost to Tunisia in March. Defensive weaknesses remain, however, with 10 goals conceded in their last six games.
Tunisia’s squad has been boosted by the debut call-up of SC Braga midfielder Ismael Gharbi, who recently switched international allegiance. Naim Sliti returns from injury, while Sliema Wanderers forward Sulahmana Mamadu Bah earns his first selection after finishing as top scorer in Malta’s Challenge League.
Liberia, meanwhile, will be without key defender Sampson Dweh due to a hamstring injury. Jimmy Farkarlun, who scored the winner against São Tomé, returns to the squad. Mohammed Sangare, striker Peter Wilson and Justin Salmon are absent.
Coach Kojo is also expected to hand Malta-based forward Mamadu Bah a debut.
With home advantage and the competition’s best defense, Tunisia start as favorites. Liberia, seeking redemption after a poor Africa Cup of Nations qualifying run, hope to spring an upset and keep their World Cup dream alive.
Discussion about this post