Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Daniel Kanu in action for Sierra Leone in the 2-0 defeat to Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Charlton Athletic striker Daniel Kanu on his Sierra Leone debut 

On Sunday, Cheltenham striker Daniel Kanu came off the bench with 30 minutes remaining against Mo Salah’s Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification as Sierra Leone suffered a 2-0 defeat – an admirable result considering they finished with nine men and played with ten men for 60 minutes.

Kanu, who joined Southern United on a short-term loan from Charlton Athletic on 6 October 2023, was pleased with the International experience.

“It was an honour to make my debut for my country – something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I really enjoyed the opportunity to play at such a big stage being the World Cup qualifiers,” Kanu to Football Sierra Leone.

“My debut means a lot to me as a player as it created a memory to cherish for a long time. I wish to create more memories as I continue representing the country. 

On His development 

“The aim right now is to continue to develop as a player – to be able to give more and more for my team and the country.

It was my first time away representing my nation, so I was very excited and optimistic about what was to come. I was welcomed very well by all the players and staff – they all made me feel at home.”

He added, “I enjoyed being around the team as there was such a great vibe about them. Overall, it was a great experience as I’m very proud and grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity.”

The 5ft 11in attacker joined Charlton Athletic at U11 level and penned his first professional contract in February 2022.

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Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay underlined that Sierra Leone must build on the two performances against Ethiopia and Egypt in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

We can build on our performance – Osman Kakay

Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay underlined that Sierra Leone must build on the two performances against Ethiopia and Egypt in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 

He outlined that in 2024, the emphasis is to win matches in the race to  Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

On Wednesday, Sierra Leone secured a point from the draw with Ethiopia at El Jadida, Morocco, before they suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Pharaohs of Egypt in the Liberian Capital, Monrovia, on Sunday. 

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone while recapping the Leone Stars’ performances in both games, Kakay, who skippered against Egypt, noted, “The two games were two important games for us, I think what we can take is the positives despite the defeat to Egypt.”

“One positive result and a good account of oursleves amces against Egypt from the way we played you can see the team now have a good indentity to go and win games against tough African oppositions,” the QPR defender said.

“Now, the emphasis is to get results in 2024 to help our push in the qualifiers. Overall, I am pleased with every player’s commitment – everyone is hungry and determined. You can tell every player proud of playing for their country it means a lot us.”

“The backroom staff helping set the standards on the way we wanted to play. Everything looking positive and I am happy to be part of it.”

Egypt on six points, Burkina Faso and Guinea Bissau are second and third with four points – Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Djibouti are fourth, fifth and sixth on the table, respectively, following matchday two.

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers continue next June as Sierra Leone hosts Djibouti before travelling to tackle second place, Burkina Faso.

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World Cup Group A, B & C standings after Matchday two in the campaign
World Cup Group A, B & C standings after Matchday two in the campaign
Burkina Faso wallop Ethiopia to go second behind Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso wallop Ethiopia to go second behind Egypt

The Les Étalons of Burkina Faso recorded their first win in the 2026 World Cup qualifier over Ethiopia Walias on Tuesday in Morocco.

All three goals were scored in the second half at El Jadida, Morocco, to claim up to second behind Egypt.

The Burkinabess opened the scoring in the 69th minute through a Blati Touré (Burkina Faso) right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal, assisted by Bertrand Traoré.

Ten minutes later, Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso) converted a penalty with a left-footed shot to the high centre of the goal.

Their third came in the 90th minute from Dango Ouattara’s right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

Having opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Guinea Bissau third on Friday, they now secured four points from their opening two matches ahead of Bissua on goal difference. 

Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Djibouti are fourth, fifth and sixth on the table, respectively, following matchday two.

Elsewhere, South Africa suffered a serious setback in Group C after losing to Rwanda in Butare. Rwanda won 2-0 both goals in the first half, while the South Africans battled to create attacking opportunities for themselves.

Rwanda tops the group with four points, followed by South Africa with three, Nigeria, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe with two apiece and Benin with a point – precisely on the table.

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Côte d’Ivoire beat The Gambia 2-0 to make it two in two in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cote d’Ivoire’s perfect start as Liberia suffer second defeat

2023 Africa Cup of Nations host Cote d’Ivoire recorded a second straight win in their 2026 World Cup qualifying after beating the Gambia 2-0 on Monday to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Christian Kouame and Seko Fofana scored the goals for the Elephant in Dar es Salaam at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, where Gambia played their home Group F tie.

As a result, Jean-Louis Gasset’s side topped Group H with six points and eleven goals in favour. 

Elsewhere in Group H, Ten-man Liberia suffered a second straight defeat in the qualifiers after Equatorial Guinea defeated the Lone Star 1-0 courtesy of captain Emilio Nsue’s early goal. 

Emilio Nsue was the scorer for Equatorial Guinea in their opening win against Namibia on Wednesday. 

In th day’s other matches, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya and Madagascar recorded emphatic away victories over Djibouti, Seychelles and Chad, respectively.

The qualifiers take place on Tuesday as teams aim to gain early advantages.

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FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying matches and results on Monday
FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying matches and results on Monday
A brace from striker Mahmoud Trezeguet gave Egypt a 2-0 win over a 9-man Sierra Leone at the Samuel K. Doe stadium in Monrovia on Sunday (19th November 2023)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nine-man Sierra Leone suffer 2-0 defeat to Egypt

Mahmoud Trezeguet scored a brace as Egypt dislodged nine-man Sierra Leone in match day two of the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Liberia on Sunday.

Coach Amidu Karim started brightly but was unable to take advantage of half-cut chances in the opening minutes of the game at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium.

The visitors took the lead in the 18-minute after a decent finish as Egypt maintained their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 away win against Sierra Leone in Liberia on Sunday.

His second came in the 62-second minute from a clever pass from Liverpool’s striker Mohamed Salah, who fines Trezequet to double the visitors lead.

Sierra Leone frustratedly finished the match with nine players on the field, as Tyrese Fornah and Abdul Jarju Kabia were sent off – with only a point from their opening two games. 

The victory bookmarked Egypt’s first victory over Leone Stars in three meetings as Leone Stars played two games in the qualifiers with no goals, one draw and a loss and two goals conceded,

Egypt sits atop Group A with an impeccable six points from two games, leading ahead of Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone, each having amassed only one point after one game.

How qualifying works

The nine group winners will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup 26™. The four best runners-up will compete for one place at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

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