The Lone Star’s quest of reaching the Fifa 2026 World Cup is now hanging by the tread after failing to win the Flames of Malawi on Monday at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The Lone Star took an early minute lead when Ayouba Kosiah tapped in a Sheik Sesay’s header just in two minutes.

The Liberians withstood the pressure following that goal, as the Malawians bombarded the visitors’ territorial in the rest of the minutes in the first half.

Junior Yeanaye, making his first appearance for the Lone Star was the busier goalkeeper, denying the home team of couple of chances.

Ayouba Kosiah increased the Lone Star’s lead in the 61st minute when he finished off a corner kick.

But the Liberians were pressurized following the second goal.

The Flames quickly made three substitutions, which improved their attacks, thus causing more trouble to the Lone Star.

Coach Thomas Kojo on the other hand made three substitutions, but it didn’t help the matter, as the Malawians scored twice in eight minutes to draw level.

The Three points would have move Liberia second place on the table, but the draw keeps the Lone Star in 3rd position with 11 points, that’s eleven points behind Tunisia Carthage Eagles.

The Tunisians defeated Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Monday to win Group H of the African qualifiers, thus winning a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Liberia still got a change to finish 2nd, which could qualify the Lone Star to the African Playoff for four best second placers.

Liberia must win the remaining two games, one at home against 2nd place Namibia, and one away to 5th place Equatorial Guinea.

Six points from those matches will take Liberia on 17 points, but the Red, White and Blue nation will have to hope that results go against Namibia in the other fixtures.