 Liberia's James Debbah was heavily involved in the action on his return |
Liberia stunned Cup of Nations semi-finalists Mali 1-0 in Monrovia on Sunday in Group One of 2006 World Cup qualifying.
The Eagles were beaten by a 78th-minute goal from Alvin Kieh, which followed a spell of intense Liberian pressure towards the end of the tie.
Anthony Laffor had spurned an opportunity to give the Lone Star the lead on the hourmark when he scuffed a shot towards the Mali goal from a well-placed position.
Earlier in the half, Dramane Traore almost gave Mali the lead but the Eagles striker struck the side-netting from ten yards out.
Liberia's Frank Seator had the ball in the back of the next shortly before half-time, but the goal was disallowed for James Debbah's foul on the Malian keeper.
Debbah, who was making his first Lone Star appearance in two years, had wasted a tenth-minute chance for Liberia when he shot straight at the keeper with no one else to beat.
Mali's defeat is an inauspicious start for new coach Alain Moizan, who replaced Frenchman Henri Stambouli after the 2004 Cup of Nations.
On Saturday, Senegal beat Congo 2-0 in Dakar.
After plenty of pressure from the home side, the Lions of Teranga broke the deadlock when defender Lamine Diatta netted from a corner after an hour.
 Moussa Ndiaye's late goal wrapped up the points for Senegal |
In the 77th minute, Moussa Ndiaye doubled Senegal's advantage and wrapped up the victory when slotting home with his left foot.
The Congolese defence frustrated the Cup of Nations quarter-finalists, for whom Henri Camara led the charge.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers player slipped through the Congo defence only to see his shot turned behind for a corner just before the half-hour mark, and shortly after he again forced the Congolese keeper into action.
Mamadou Niang had the opportunity to ease Senegalese nerves after just two minutes, but the striker missed a glorious chance when clean through on goal.
Earlier on Saturday, Zambia beat Togo 1-0 before a packed Independence Stadium in Lusaka.
Debutant striker Jacob Mulenga scored the all-important goal for the Chipolopolo after eleven minutes as he volleyed home from close range following a good free-kick into the box by Andrew Sinkala.
Togo, who were playing their first competitive tie under Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi, rarely troubled the Zambian defence.
"We fell way short of expectation," Keshi told BBC Sport.
Buoyed by their early goal, Zambia continued to exert pressure on the Hawks' defence during the first half and almost doubled their lead shortly before the interval.
Christopher Katongo sent in a right-wing cross which Togo goalkeeper Tchagniron Dubo failed to collect, and both Harry Milanzi and Mulenga were inches away from firing home the loose ball.
Togo were quiet in the first half and only really pressurised the Zambians in the second period.
The closest the Hawks came to an equaliser was when Seneya Junior cut in from the left flank with twelve minutes left and lifted the ball past Zambian keeper Kalililo Kakonje, yet Zambian defender Joseph Musonda was alert to the danger and cleared off the line.
Togo's Adekanmi Olufade also troubled the Zambian defence, firing a free-kick just past the post and only being denied an equaliser by the legs of Kakonje late on.
The 2006 World Cup qualifiers double as qualifying matches for that year's Cup of Nations in Egypt.
MMIX
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It was a tough game 