Author: Football Sierra Leone

Senegal leapfrog DR Congo after comeback win in Group B
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal leapfrog DR Congo after comeback win in Group B

In Group B, Senegal staged a thrilling comeback in Kinshasa and moved ahead of DR Congo with goals from Pape Gueye 39’, Nicolas Jackson 53’, and Pape Sarr 87’

DR Congo jumped to a two-goal lead with Bakambu’s goal and Wissa’s follow-up. Senegal responded with a goal from Pape Gueye, narrowing the gap before halftime.

They levelled the score when Jackson scored from a rebound and took the lead with Pape Sarr’s goal late in the match.

Senegal now tops the group ahead of their upcoming matches against South Sudan and Mauritania. DR Congo needs to regroup quickly for their matches against Togo and Sudan to keep their hopes alive.

DR Congo 2–3 Senegal – Scorers: Cédric Bakambu 26’, Yoane Wissa 33’ (DRC); Pape Gueye 39’, Nicolas Jackson 53’, Pape Sarr 87’ (Senegal)

Elsewhere, matchday 8 of Africa’s qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 brought exciting moments and important outcomes.

Cape Verde won 1-0 against Cameroon, putting them at the top of their group. In Johannesburg, South Africa, and Nigeria played to a 1-1 draw in a close match. Egypt and Burkina Faso ended in a 0-0 tie, while Togo celebrated their first victory by beating Sudan 1-0.

In a tightly contested match, South Africa and Nigeria settled for a 1-1 draw. South Africa took the lead with an own goal from Troost-Ekong, but Nigeria responded just before halftime with a goal by Bassey.

In the second half, both teams created chances, with Nigeria looking more dangerous on counterattacks. The draw keeps South Africa well-positioned for automatic qualification, while Nigeria needs to win their remaining matches to stay in contention.

In Group A, Egypt missed a chance to secure qualification, playing to a goalless draw against Burkina Faso. An early injury to Omar Marmoush hampered their attack, and despite Salah having a goal ruled out for offside, they couldn’t break through a solid Burkina Faso defence. With two matches left, the group’s outcome remains up in the air.

Sierra Leone must win to keep slim hopes of a playoff spot alive
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone must win to keep slim hopes of a playoff spot alive

The Liberian Capital will host an intriguing Group A matchday eight 2026 World Cup qualifying tie as host Sierra Leone face off against the Walia Ibex of Ethiopia. Kickoff 13hrs GMT

Sierra Leone must win to ignite their chances of a runners-up spot later this afternoon. Only a win will keep the West Africans’ hopes alive, especially after Guinea-Bissau’s 2-0 win over Djibouti on Monday.

Coach Mohamed Kallon’s side must head into their final three games of CAF qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with only one mindset: to bag nine points if they are to have any chance of making it to the playoff spot.

In Group A of the CAF qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Burkina Faso sits second on 14 points but well adrift of Egypt at the top of the group. Behind the Burkinabe outfit, Guinea-Bissau, having played a game more, on ten points, overtook Sierra Leone with their 2-0 win over Djibouti on Monday.

Sierra Leone is five points adrift of the runner-up spot and a potential playoff berth, but a win will keep their dreams alive going into the final round of matches in October against Burkina Faso and Djibouti.

Key Stats

Sierra Leone has won two, drawn three and lost two in their last seven matches in the World Cup qualifiers (W2 D3 L2).

Ethiopia have won only one of their last seven World Cup qualifying matches (W1 D3 L3).

Sierra Leone must win to keep slim hopes of a playoff spot alive
Sierra Leone must win to keep slim hopes of a playoff spot alive
Uganda keep tabs on Algeria in Group G race for top spot
by Football Sierra Leone

Uganda keep tabs on Algeria in Group G race for top spot

Uganda kept their hopes alive following matchday eight of Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Group G as Algeria settled for a draw against Guinea.

Malawi staged a strong comeback against Liberia, Madagascar triumphed over Chad, and Guinea-Bissau found new optimism with their victory against Djibouti.

In the match between Uganda and Somalia, Uganda emerged victorious with a score of 2–0. Scorers: Allan Okello (6 pen), Jude Ssemugabi (39) – responding to Mozambique’s earlier win, Uganda clinched a crucial victory in Kira Town.

Allan Okello netted a penalty just six minutes into the game, and Jude Ssemugabi followed up with another goal before the halftime whistle. This win places Uganda level on points with Mozambique in second place in Group G, trailing only leaders Algeria – a team they will face in a pivotal match next month.

Guinea 0–0 Algeria

Algeria’s usually strong offence struggled in Casablanca. They did not score in a World Cup qualifier for the first time in 37 matches. Guinea’s goalkeeper, Alexis Guendouz, performed well, while Mohamed Amoura missed Algeria’s best chance. Djamel Belmadi’s team remains at the top of Group G with 19 points, but needs to wait until October to secure qualification.

Malawi 2–2 Liberia

Scorers: Gabadinho Mhango (72), Chawanangwa Kawonga (80) for Malawi; Ayouba Kosiah (4, 61) for Liberia  

Ayouba Kosiah scored twice for Liberia, including a bicycle kick in the fourth minute, putting them ahead. However, Malawi fought back. Gabadinho Mhango reduced the gap before Chawanangwa Kawonga equalised eight minutes later, earning a point for Malawi in a thrilling match.

Madagascar 3–1 Chad

Scorers: Warren Caddy (51), Rayan Raveloson (68), Hakim Abdallah (90+3) for Madagascar; Yves Allarabaye (24) for Chad  

Chad took the lead with a goal from Yves Allarabaye. However, Madagascar rallied after halftime. Warren Caddy equalised, Rayan Raveloson put them ahead, and Hakim Abdallah scored in stoppage time to secure the win. This victory places Madagascar at the top of their group alongside Ghana with three games left to play.

Guinea-Bissau register second World Cup qualifying win in Group A
by Football Sierra Leone

Guinea-Bissau register second World Cup qualifying win in Group A

On Monday, Guinea-Bissau improved its chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by earning a 2-0 win against Djibouti at the Estádio 24 de Setembro.

Following a 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone, new coach Emiliano Té led his team to their second win in the qualifiers after eight matches.

The victory came thanks to two second-half goals: Iano Inbeni scored in the 52nd minute, followed by a header from Fali Cande in the 82nd minute, much to the delight of the home fans.

As a result, the win moves them into third in Group A, at least until Sierra Leone faces Ethiopia on Tuesday in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.

With two international windows remaining, nine CAF group winners will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, and the four best runners-up will enter a playoff.

Morocco and Tunisia lead the way as qualified teams ahead of the final rounds. 

Ghana face Mali in a crucial Group I World Cup qualifier in Accra
by Football Sierra Leone

Ghana set for Mali cracker in crucial Group I tie in Accra

Ghana is set to reignite their fierce rivalry with Mali in the Group I qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This exciting showdown will take place on Monday in Accra, the capital and largest city of Ghana, at the Accra Sports Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 40,000 spectators.

Having recorded five wins, one draw and a defeat, the Black Stars are unbeaten in their last two games in the competition from Group I.

With 16 points from seven games, Ghana is at the top of the Group I standings; the West African giants will book their finals position if they collect at least seven points in their final three games.

“I can’t claim we played well or perfectly since it was a draw [against Chad]. The outcome is all. Ghana coach Otto Addo informed reporters. “We had a lot of corners; we did nothing from that.”

Usually, we win this game; this season, we had many shots, shots on goal, and a lot of ball possession. Ultimately, surely, it is not good enough,h and we have to develop, above all, in our implementation.”

Mali, on the other hand, ended a two-match winless run across all events when they humiliated a hapless Comoros team 3-0 in a Group I match at home on September 4.

Having garnered 12 points from seven games, the Eagles are ranked third in the Group I standings. The West African team must win to have a decent chance of finishing in the top two positions as either group winners or as one of the four best runners-up; their final three games are must-wins.