Sports Mole previews Sunday’s World Cup Qualifying – Africa clash between Sao Tome & Principe and Liberia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Round four of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Africa sees Sao Tome & Principe and Liberia face off at the Municipal Stadium of Oudja on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams head into this weekend’s encounter having failed to come out on top in their respective last outings, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways.
Match preview
Sao Tome & Principe suffered a first defeat of 2024 as they were comprehensively beaten 3-1 by Malawi at the Bingu National Stadium on Thursday.
Quickfire goals from Chawanangwa Kaonga and Lanjesi Nkhome saw Adriano Eusebio‘s men head into the interval with a mountain to climb after which Denilson Silva pulled one back, only for Chifundo Mphasi to seal the deal 12 minutes from time.
As a result, Selecao dos Falcoes e Papagaios remain rooted to the bottom of Group H, one of two sides still yet to pick up a point so far.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit currently 36 places above in the latest rankings of national teams by world football’s governing body FIFA.
Winless in 12 straight matches across all competitions, Sunday’s hosts have been underwhelming at both ends of the pitch and have it all to do here.
Liberia had to settle for a share of the spoils from their meeting against Namibia, which ended 1-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Mario Marinica‘s men trailed to Tjipenandjambi Karuuombe‘s early opener before getting back on level terms through Terry Sackor 20 minutes into the second period.
With four points amassed from three matches, the Lone Stars sit fourth in their qualifying group, three points behind Namibia in second and a further two adrift of leaders Tunisia.
Having won just one of five games on the road since the start of last year, Sunday’s visitors will be keen to turn their away fortunes around.
Sao Tome & Principe World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:
Sao Tome & Principe form (all competitions):
Liberia World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:
Liberia form (all competitions):
Team News
Forward Terry Sackor finally opened his account for Liberia at the sixth time of asking last time out and will be looking to pick up where he left off.
Since making his debut in June 2021, Sampson Dweh has established himself as a mainstay for the visitors and is expected to feature in this one.
Sao Tome’s Nuno Malheiro was forced off with an injury scare in the defeat to Malawi, making the 21-year-old a huge doubt to play any part this weekend.
Should Malheiro be deemed unfit to participate, Mauro Vilhete is the favourite to get the nod for the visitors as he targets a rare starting appearance.
Sao Tome & Principe possible starting lineup:
Mateus; Vilhete, Dos Ramos, D’Almeida, Fernandes; Silva, A. Neves; Afonso, J. Neves, Viegas; Leal
Liberia possible starting lineup:
Koulibaly; Dweh, Kamara, Swen; Teclar, Sangare, Dorley, Kumeh, Tarnue; Sackor, Bility
We say: Sao Tome & Principe 1-2 Liberia
Having recorded just two clean sheets across their last nine years of action, Sao Tome have struggled defensively and Liberia will be aiming to take advantage. We expect an end-to-end affair here with the visitors just about coming out on top in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
