Author: Football Sierra Leone

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.

Bryan Mbeumo helps Cameroon keep tabs on leaders Cape Verde
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon ease past Eswatini to keep tabs on leaders Cape Verde

Cameroon extended their unbeaten record in the group with a convincing 3-0 win against Eswatini at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.

The Indomitable Lions got off to a flying start when Gift Gamedze put the ball into the back of his own net in six minutes, and quick-fire goals from Georges-Kevin N’Koudou (25′) and Arthur Avom (28′) sealed all three points.

Bryan Mbeumo helped Cameroon stay close to Cape Verde in their group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

In the sixth minute of the match in Yaounde, Mbeumo passed the ball into the box. It deflected off Gift Gamedze’s head and went over the goalkeeper for the opening goal.

Mbeumo then crossed the ball to Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, who scored a header in the 25th minute. Three minutes later, Arthur Avom scored to make it 3-0.

Andre Onana, the goalkeeper for Cameroon, had an easy game but did fumble one long-range shot in the first half, which he recovered on the second attempt.

Cameroon remains just a point behind Group D leaders Cape Verde, who won 2-0 against Mauritius on Thursday.

Gabon thrash Seychelles to go top of Group F in World Cup Qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Denis Bouanga nets a hat-trick as Gabon thrash Seychelles to top Group F

Gabon secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Seychelles in Wednesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the neutral venue of the Cote d Or Sports Complex in the Mauritian city of Saint Pierre,

Denis Bouanga shone with a first-half hat-trick, scoring in the 4th minute and twice more before halftime, effectively sealing Seychelles’ fate early on.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sidelined by injury, Bouanga capitalised on the opportunity, with his second goal coming in the 38th minute, assisted by Guelor Kanga.

Debutant Yannis M’Bemba rounded off the scoring with a late header from a corner. This win places Gabon at the top of Group F, two points ahead of the Ivory Coast, who face Burundi next before meeting Gabon on September 9 in a crucial match.

Senegalese international Formose Mend joins Watford on loan
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegalese international Formose Mendy joins Watford on loan

Watford has officially completed the signing of Formose Mendy on loan from Lorient, bolstering their defence as they push for success in the EFL Championship.

The 24-year-old Senegalese international has joined the Hornets on a loan deal that runs until the season’s end, with the option for a permanent transfer.

The club expressed their excitement in a statement, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Formose Mendy to Watford from Lorient!” Watford’s Assistant Sporting Director, Valon Behrami, shared insights on the club’s decision, emphasising, “Formose was our top target, so we’re over the moon to finalise this deal. We’ve had our eye on him for a while, especially given the interest from several clubs.”

Mendy, a right-sided defender standing at 6ft 3in, will don the number 27 shirt at Vicarage Road. His football journey began at the Darou Salam Academy in Dakar before he progressed through the youth ranks at FC Porto and Club Brugge.

He went on to make 68 appearances for Amiens SC in Ligue 2 before moving to Lorient in 2023, where he made 42 appearances in total and played a crucial role in the club’s Ligue 2 title win in 2024/25.

Having already earned 10 caps for Senegal, Mendy was part of the Lions of Teranga squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, further showcasing his growing credentials on the international stage.

Tyrese Fornah set for Sierra Leone World Cup qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Tyrese Fornah set for Sierra Leone World Cup qualifiers

Midfielder Tyrese Fornah will join up with the Sierra Leone squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying fixtures with Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, followed by Ethiopia on September 9th.

Although his name was not on the official list announced by the SLFA, Tyrese Fornah’s League One club, Northampton, has confirmed his availability.

Meanwhile, Football Sierra Leone understands the home-based delegation will depart Freetown today, as foreign-based players are already travelling to join the Leone Stars Camp.

A full assembly squad is expected by Tuesday in Guinea-Bissau for this decisive match that could shape the team’s journey towards the World Cup.

Guinea-Bissua v Sierra Leone will be officiated by a team of referees from the Ivory Coast at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

The Djurtus are looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat suffered at Sierra Leone back in March in the Liberian Capital at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

Current Standings: Guinea-Bissau is two points adrift of Sierra Leone, currently in third place in their group with 8 points. 

Sierra Leone’s hopes for the USA, Canada, and Mexico 2026 World Cup are still alive, with just 15 days to go in the hunt to increase their point on the table.