Preview: Central African Republic vs. Liberia - prediction, team news, lineups

Liberia and Central African Republic will conclude their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign when the pair meet on Tuesday afternoon.

The hosts enter the tie at the foot of Group C, with the winner guaranteed to avoid finishing bottom.

Match preview

A round one win over Sierra Leone saw Liberia progress to the group stages of World Cup qualifying, yet their results ever since have been nothing short of disappointing.

With just one victory in qualification so far, Liberia have footed the Group C table for much of the campaign, having only taken three points against Central African Republic in the corresponding fixture.

Triumphing 1-0 away from home, their maiden victory in second round qualification is as positive as it has got for Liberia this term.

Without a World Cup appearance to their name, this year's effort will represent the most matches played in qualification for the Lone Star since Germany 2006.

Further qualification disappointment was suffered when attempting to reach their first Africa Cup of Nations since 2002, meaning Liberia's focus will switch to securing a place at the 2023 tournament instead.

Similarly, Central African Republic have struggled in qualification so far, yet they did enter the final international break of the year one point above Tuesday's opponents.

A 1-1 draw with Cape Verde in their opening match of the campaign was made all the sweeter by Central African Republic's shock victory over favourites Nigeria in the third game of qualification.

Stunning the Super Eagles in the 91st minute of the match, Karl Namnganda's late strike had Central African Republic dreaming of shaking up the Group C table.

Unfortunately, they have not been able to back up that statement victory, having lost the return leg, before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Cape Verde last time out.

Should Central African Republic avoid defeat in the final match against Liberia, they will be guaranteed a third-placed finish, whilst the hosts will need to win to drag themselves off the bottom of the table.

Team News

Isaac Ngoma opened the scoring for Central African Republic in the most-recent Cape Verde defeat and the forward will represent their biggest goal threat once more.

The visitors will line up with Prince Samolah between the sticks, whilst captain Saint-Cyr Ngam will marshal the defence.

Karl Namnganda will lead the line for Central African Republic as they look to finish the qualification campaign on a high.

As for Liberia, Van-Dave Harmon remains their only goal scorer in qualification so far, and the forward came off the bench against Nigeria.

Peter Wilson was the man entrusted to spearhead the attack in Liberia's last international, while midfielder Marcus Macauley will captain the Lone Star once more.

Goalkeeper Boison Wynney picked up an unlikely yellow card against Nigeria and he will be hoping to swap that for a clean sheet on Tuesday.

Central African Republic possible starting lineup:
Samolah; Ngam, Yangao, Ndobe, Ndokomandji; Toropite, Ngoma, Gaopandia, Ban, Guinari; Namnganda

Liberia possible starting lineup:
Wynney; Jamal, Pabai, Balde, Dweh; McCauley, Soumaoro, Razard, Dorley, Hellberg; Wilson

We say: Central African Republic 1-0 Liberia

Ending the qualification campaign on a high will be paramount for both of these teams, as the pair look to avoid finishing bottom of the group.

Central African Republic have done well to pick up points, despite the earlier defeat against Liberia, and they should have enough to inflict revenge on Tuesday.

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