Author: Football Sierra Leone

Eswatini frustrated Cameroon as Tunisia edge Liberia to extend lead
by Football Sierra Leone

Eswatini frustrate Cameroon as Tunisia squeeze past Liberia to extend lead

Tunisia defeated Liberia 1-0, Madagascar thrashed Central African Republic 4-1, and Cameroon could only draw 0-0 with Eswatini in the World Cup qualifiers.

Hazem Mastouri’s early goal kept Tunisia at the top of Group H with 13 points, while Rayan Raveloson scored twice for Madagascar, leading Group I. Cameroon struggled in Group D against last-placed Eswatini.

Tunisia had a successful match in Liberia, winning 1-0 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Complex. They scored quickly, with Mastouri finishing a good move in the fourth minute after pressure from Hannibal Mejbri.

Tunisia nearly extended their lead when Naïm Sliti hit the crossbar before halftime. Although Liberia held most of the possession and pushed for an equalizer, they could not break through Tunisia’s strong defense. Aymen Dahmen made key saves to deny the hosts.

In the second half, Tunisia defended well and almost scored again when Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane missed a great chance. This win strengthens Tunisia’s position in Group H, with their next game against Malawi, while Liberia will face Sao Tome and Principe.

Elsewhere, Madagascar beat the Central African Republic 4-1, claiming the top spot in Group I. The match shocked fans early when the Central Africans took the lead in the ninth minute.  

Madagascar quickly responded, with captain Raveloson scoring two first-half goals. They continued to dominate in the second half, adding two more to secure a solid win. Their defense kept the Central African Republic from making a comeback. This important victory boosts Madagascar’s chances of qualifying for their first World Cup.

Giant Cameroon faced frustration after drawing 0-0 against Eswatini, who were at the bottom of Group D. Despite holding most of the possession, Cameroon could not find a way to score.

This result keeps Cameroon at the top of the group with nine points from five matches, while Eswatini earns their first point of the campaign. Other matches in the group will be played on Wednesday, and Cameroon needs to recover quickly to maintain their lead.

As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers continue, Tunisia and Madagascar have strengthened their positions, while Cameroon faces challenges ahead.

Sierra Leone U17 Women's bow out of World Cup qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone U17 Women’s bow out of World Cup qualifiers

Sierra Leone National U-17 women’s team journey in the CAF U-17 World Cup qualifiers has ended after a challenging second-leg match. They were beaten 2-1 by Guinea at the Stade Mamadou KONATE in Mali, leading to a final aggregate score of 4-3.

Guinea will advance to face Ivory Coast in the third round of the qualifiers, scheduled for April 2025, after Ivory Coast eliminated Burundi in the second round.

In other news, the U-17 Women’s Team of Côte d’Ivoire achieved an impressive turnaround against Burundi in the second round of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

After a 3-1 loss at home in the first leg, the young Elephants bounced back with a decisive 3-0 victory in the return match on Wednesday, March 12, securing their place in the third and final round of qualifiers.

Côte d’Ivoire is the first country to clinch its spot in the third round of the qualifying matches for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Gabon’s head coach Thierry Mouyouma names Gabon squad for double header
by Football Sierra Leone

Gabon’s head coach Thierry Mouyouma names squad for double header

Gabon’s head coach, Thierry Mouyouma, has announced three new players in his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles and Kenya: Nzé Samaké, Yoann Nani Nono, and Mobili Van, all receiving their first call-ups.

The announcement also marks the return of André Poko, who hasn’t played for the national team since June 2021. His experience, alongside established players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, is expected to strengthen the team. Gabon currently sits second in Group F with nine points, just behind leaders Ivory Coast.

Gabon will face Seychelles in Franceville on March 20 and then travel to Nairobi to play Kenya on March 23, aiming for crucial points toward their goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Full Gabon Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Full Gabon Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Coach Luís Boa Morte picks roster for Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso
by Football Sierra Leone

Coach Luís Boa Morte picks roster for Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso

Guinea-Bissau has added four new players to its squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. Coach Luís Boa Morte has selected 25 players for these important matches.

Guinea-Bissau will play against Sierra Leone on March 20 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia. They will then return home to face Burkina Faso at the 24 de Setembro National Stadium in Bissau on March 24.

Babacar Fáti, a 25-year-old left-back who used to play for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, is among the new players. He currently plays in Finland. Mario Junior, a 21-year-old centre-back from the Portuguese team Oliveirense, has also received his first call-up.

Midfielder Vando Felix, 22, has debuted in Portugal’s top league with Vitória Guimarães. He joins the national team alongside 24-year-old striker Tamble Monteiro from Portimonense.

Augusto Dabo and Bura Nogueira have been dropped from the squad following Guinea-Bissau’s 2-1 loss to Mozambique in November, which resulted in their failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Balde (Penafiel, Portugal), Manuel Issufe Djalo (FC Koeppchen, Luxembourg), Fernando Embadje (Unión Collado Villalba, Spain)

Defenders: Gilberto Batista (Moreirense, Portugal), Sene Camara (Benfica Bissau), Jeferson Encada (Pharco, Egypt), Babacar Fati (SJK Seinäjoki, Finland), Sana Gomes (Omonia Aradippou, Cyprus), Mario Junior (Oliveirense, Portugal), Sori Mane (Academica Viseu, Portugal), Victor Rofino (Uniao Leiria, Portugal),  Sambinha (Maccabi Bnei Reineh, Israel), Opa Sangate (Dunkerque, France)

Midfielders: Zidane Banjaqui (Feirense, Portugal), Janio Bikel (Maccabi Netanya, Israel), Dalcio (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Vando Felix (Vitória Guimarães, Portugal), Jorginho (Omonia Aradippou, Cyprus), Carlos Mane (Kayerispor, Turkey), Alfa Semedo (NEOM, Saudi Arabia)

Forwards: Elves Balde (Farense, Portugal), Beto (Everton, England), Francelino (FC Midtjylland, Denmark), Tamble Monteiro (Portimonense, Portugal), Ze Turbo (AEL Limassol, Cyprus).

Mjøndalen IF Fotball confirm Alie Conteh's Sierra Leone call up
by Football Sierra Leone

Mjøndalen IF Fotball confirm Alie Conteh’s Sierra Leone call up

Sierra Leone is competing in the World Cup qualifiers, and our striker has once again been selected for the national team squad, as noted by the Norwegian second-tier side.

It does not surprise Kevin Nicol that the West Africans have nominated Conteh for the matches against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt on March 20 and 25, respectively.

– He has been in very good form so far in the pre-season, so it’s not surprising, no. We have previously seen that Alie returns from the national team training camp with new energy, so we hope for more goals already in the series opener against Egersund, says the head coach.

Conteh has to sit out the dress rehearsal against Haugesund, but that doesn’t worry Nicol.

– No, it simply means that another player gets valuable match training against a good reference and can show off, he continues.

Important matches

Sierra Leone are fourth in Group A of the African World Cup qualifiers after four matches, but have a chance to grab the important second place that could qualify them to play in the World Cup.

Egypt are superb and has escaped, while opponents Guinea-Bissau currently hold the important second place. However, they are only one point ahead of the Leone Stars, as the national team is called.