Category: Sport News

Harambee Stars stage comeback to share World Cup Qualifying spoils with Gambia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kenya stage comeback to share World Cup Qualifying spoils with Gambia

On Thursday, Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars of Kenya staged a comeback to draw 3-3 with the Gambia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast.

Mohammed Bajaber and Wilson Lenkupae, both making their debut, scored goals and Michael Olunga added another. For the Gambia, Musa Barrow scored twice, and Yankuba Minten scored once. Despite starting strong, Gambia couldn’t keep their lead as Kenya fought hard.

This match was Kenya’s first game under new coach Benni McCarthy. The team struggled in the first half but improved in the second half, showing more energy and attacking play. They managed to equalize twice, showing progress under McCarthy.

After this match, Kenya has six points from five games and is in fourth place in Group F. Gabon leads with 12 points, followed by Ivory Coast with 10 points and a game in hand against Burundi, who has seven points. Gambia now has five points from five matches, while Seychelles is at the bottom with zero points and a goal difference of -23.

Next, Harambee Stars will focus on their World Cup qualifier against Gabon on Sunday.

Mozambique beat 10-man Uganda as Cape Verde earn late win
by Football Sierra Leone

Mozambique beat 10-man Uganda as Cape Verde earn late win

Mozambique topped Group G in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 3-1 victory over Uganda at Cairo Stadium on Thursday. The Mambas dominated the first half, with Pepo scoring twice and assisting Stanley Ratifo’s goal just before halftime.

Although Uganda’s Muhammad Shaban equalized early, they struggled after Denis Omedi received a red card.

With this win, Mozambique has 12 points, three ahead of Algeria, who faces Botswana on Friday. Uganda remains in third place, tied on six points with Botswana and Guinea.

Mozambique took an early lead in the fourth minute through Pepo, who later scored again in the 17th minute after Shaban equalized. Omedi’s red card left Uganda at a disadvantage.

In first-half stoppage time, Pepo assisted Ratifo, making it 3-1. Mozambique couldn’t extend their lead in the second half, but their victory was secure. Algeria now faces pressure to win against Botswana to remain competitive in the group ahead of Matchday 6.

Despite their numerical advantage, Mozambique couldn’t extend their lead in the second half, but their two-goal cushion secured the victory. Algeria now faces pressure to win against Botswana to stay competitive in the group ahead of Matchday 6.

Group D: Cape Verde achieved a late win over Mauritius with Yannick Semedo’s 84th-minute goal, earning three crucial points on the road.

Despite being mostly controlled during the match, the visitors capitalized on a late mistake, allowing them to top Group D, ahead of Cameroon, who dropped points against Eswatini.

In Group H, Prins Tjiueza’s composed strike, following a layoff from Peter Shalulile in the 40th minute, was enough for Namibia to secure their third victory. They faced Malawi in a match that was evenly contested.

This crucial win allows Namibia to move up to second place in the group. Meanwhile, Malawi’s defeat places them in a challenging fifth position, diminishing their chances of qualification.

Sierra Leone go second in Group A in coach Kallon's debut qualifying triumph
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone go second in Group A after coach Kallon’s debut qualifying triumph

Sierra Leone began a new era under the leadership of former Inter Milan striker Mohamed Kallon, securing a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau in the Liberian capital on Thursday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Complex.

With this victory in the World Cup qualifiers, Sierra Leone move into second place in Group A with eight points, trailing two points behind Egypt. They will face Egypt next, hoping to boost their chances of qualification.

The Leone Stars took the lead early in the match when Plymouth Argyle attacker Mustapha Bundu capitalized on a defensive mistake by Guinea-Bissau debutant Babacar Babacra Fati in the 19th minute.

A long ball from Lens defender Juma Bah was mishandled by Fati, and Bundu finished the opportunity confidently to put Sierra Leone ahead in the 19th minute.

The home side nearly doubled their lead when Alhassan Koroma manoeuvred past his marker but was unable to maintain control and lost the chance to score.

In the second half, Sierra Leone absorbed pressure from their opponents and extended their lead in the 61st minute. Musa Noah Kamara scored the second goal, assisted by MLS legend Kei Kamara.

The visitors responded quickly, with substitute striker Tamble Ulisses Folgado Monteiro pulling one back in the 68th minute.

Substitutes Momoh Kamara and Ibrahim Turay combined to secure their matchday five victory. Kamara pressed and won the ball before passing it to Turay, who took advantage of the opportunity to punish Bissau in the last minute.

Sierra Leone will travel to Cairo to prepare for their match against the Pharaohs, who will play Ethiopia tomorrow.

Debut for Mohamed Bangura as Kallon Prepares for Leone Stars dugout
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Debut for keeper Sesay and Bangura as Kallon Prepares for Leone Stars dugout

Sierra Leone coach Mohamed Kallon has handed a debut to Mohamed Bangura for matchday five of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CAF Group A. Bangura, who plays for local club Bhantal FC in the Premier League, has had an impressive season.

The match between Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau is crucial in the race for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Kickoff is at 16:00 local time in Monrovia, Liberia.

Salford City midfielder and recent AC Oulu signing Abu Dumbuya will play a key role in the heart of midfield. In defence, Juma from Lens and Alpha Turay, who is on loan from FK Radnički 1923 in the Serbian SuperLiga to FK Dubočica, will be featured.

East End Lions striker Musa Kamara and Plymouth Argyle attacker Mustapha Bundu will be joined by Alhassan Koroma and debutant Bangura as they try to penetrate Bissau’s defence.

Guinea-Bissau is currently second place with six points behind leaders Egypt in the World Cup qualification. Sierra Leone holds the fourth position in the group after four matches, falling behind Egypt by five points. Their sole win was against Djibouti, the evident underdogs, which underscores the difficulties the team encounters.

Debut for keeper Sesay and Bangura as Kallon Prepares for Leone Stars dugout
Debut for keeper Sesay and Bangura as Kallon Prepares for Leone Stars dugout
John Sama backs new strategy for Leone Stars' success
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

John Sama backs new strategy for Leone Stars’ success

Former Sierra Leone midfield conductor John Sama feels the present coaching staff for the Leone Star will produce positive outcomes. Sama, who represented Sierra Leone in the 1994 and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, noted in a short interview that Mohamed Kallon and his management staff have a clear coaching philosophy.

Kallon will take on his first international coaching challenge against Guinea-Bissau in Monrovia, Liberia, on Thursday. Kallon aims to guide a squad primarily composed of home-based talent as they strive for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We are all fans now and in modern-day football, players must believe in the technical strategy, and that is precisely what Kallon and his team can offer,” Sama stated.

“We must understand that they started about three weeks ago. They will need time to develop the technical aspects of their plan and implement the style of football they want to play. All of this will take time, but in the end, I am very confident that they will start producing results.”

When asked about the predominance of home-based players in Kallon’s squad, Sama reaffirmed that this is the way to build a strong national setup.

“In our days, we performed better and achieved results because the majority and core of the squad were home-based. This is a young team that will need time to develop, and our target should be the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.”

Guinea-Bissau enters the match unbeaten, aided by former Arsenal star Luis Boa Morte as a technical head. While Sierra Leone holds a favourable head-to-head record with six wins in twelve encounters, Guinea-Bissau has won two of the last three matchups.

Sierra Leone has only one loss in their last four World Cup qualifying matches (one win, two draws and a defeat against Egypt), while Guinea-Bissau has one win and three draws in their last four Group A fixtures.

Guinea-Bissau is coached by former Fulham and West Ham United forward Luis Boa Morte. They have gained six points from four matches in the qualifying rounds, undefeated, and their strong defensive record may not be enough to harm them at the top of Group A.

This upcoming match features two seemingly evenly matched sides with strong defensive records, suggesting that a low-scoring encounter is likely.

Group A

1. Egypt | 10 pts 2. Guinea-Bissau | 6 pts 3. Burkina Faso | 5 pts 4. Sierra Leone | 5 pts 5. Ethiopia | 3 pts 6. Djibouti | 1 pt

Matchday 5 fixtures

Sierra Leone v Guinea-Bissau  Burkina Faso v Djibouti – Ethiopia v Egypt

Matchday 6 fixtures

Guinea-Bissau v Burkina Faso Egypt -v Sierra Leone Ethiopia v Djibouti