Category: Sport News

Ivory Coast thrash Seychelles in 2026 World Cup qualifying opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivory Coast thrash Seychelles in World Cup qualifier  

Afcon 2023 host Ivory Coast cruised past Seychelles 9-0 in Abidjan on Friday to create a record winning margin for a World Cup qualifier in Africa in Group F.

Goals from Borussia Dortmund forward Sebastien Haller, Ibrahim Sangare, Simon Adingra, Seko Fofana. A brace apiece from Karim Konaté & Hamed Traore. J. Krasso was the other scorer as the home side recorded a big opening win on matchday one and Group F match day one. 

Seychelles, a tourist destination off the east coast of Africa, is 195th in the FIFA rankings, 121 places below the Ivory Coast.

The same day in Group A, Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso played to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group A World Cup 2026 opening qualifier in Morrocco on Friday.

Mama Baldé scored through a header to give Guinea-Bissau their lead, but a solo goal from Bertrand Traoré in the 61st minute drew parity for the visiting team.

As a result, following Egypt’s 6-0 thrashing of Djibouti on Thursday at the Cairo International Stadium, they remain top of group A after the first round of matches.

Elsewhere on Friday, Inaki Williams’s last-gasp winner helped Ghana to an opening 1-0 victory over Madagascar in their qualifier for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

In other matches, Mali, Tunisia, Zambia and Cameroon all recorded opening wins – although Cameroon suffered an injury scare when their Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana went off injured 10 minutes from time.

The action to continue on Saturday, as African reigning champions Senegal and South Africa are among the teams to complete the 26-fixture first-round ends. Matchday two begins on Sunday.

 

Friday’s World Cup 2026 qualifier results

  • Burkina Faso 1-1 Guinea-Bissau (Group A)
  • Cameroon 3-0 Mauritius (Group D)
  • Eswatini 0-1 Libya (Group D)
  • Zambia 4-2 Congo Brazzaville (Group E)
  • Guinea 2-1 Uganda (Group G)
  • Ivory Coast 9-0 Seychelles (Group F)
  • Liberia 0-1 Malawi (Group H)
  • Tunisia 4-0 Sao Tome e Principe (Group H)
  • Comoros 4-2 Central African Republic (Group I)
  • Ghana 1-0 Madagascar (Group I)
  • Mali 3-1 Chad (Group I)

 

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The Match officials halted the contest due to the misty foggy weather condition
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia FA complained to Fifa over fog disruption

Following the goalless draw with Sierra Leone, Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has lodged a complaint with the world governing body Fifa over a foggy disruption of their opening World Cup qualifying match. 

It’s doubtful a decision will be taken for a replay, but the EFF want a change of time for their next match against Burkina Faso at the Stade El Abdi on Tuesday evening.

In a statement today, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) said it has filed a complaint with FIFA over the conditions under which the match was allowed to be played.

The EFF said the decision to allow the qualifier to continue in those conditions was incorrect and unfair, stating, “It should have been postponed.“

The two teams eventually shared the spoils after the stop-start match ended 0-0 after 15 minutes of stoppage time.

The Wailias will continue their training in Morocco and play Burkina Faso at the same venue on Tuesday evening.

Ethiopian Football Federation has requested FIFA to change the time of the next match against Burkina Faso. FIFA has informed that they’re looking into the issue and will respond quickly.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and World Cup Qualifying News.  

Salah nets four as Egypt ease past Djibouti
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Salah nets four as Egypt thrash Djibouti

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah recorded four goals in Egypt’s World Cup qualifying opening 6-0 win at home over Djibouti on Thursday at the Cairo International Stadium.

As a result, they go top of Group A ahead of taking on Sierra Leone on Sunday in the Liberian Capital, Monrovia.

After today’s four goals, Salah became Egypt’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifiers, with 15 goals.

The Liverpool forward opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a first-time finish using his weaker right foot before he converted a penalty kick to double his side’s lead five minutes later.

He completed his hat-trick early in the second half with another right-footed finish. His fourth goal of the game arrived on 69 minutes when he guided a low shot into the bottom corner of the net from just inside the 18-yard box.

Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet then completed the route.

Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso will lock horns tomorrow in Marrakesh, Morocco, to complete the first round of matches in Group A.

On Wednesday, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia played to a goalless draw at El Abdi Stadium.

 

  • Matchday 1 – 15 November

 

Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Namibia (Group H) | 1400 | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Rwanda 0-0 Zimbabwe (Group C) | 1500 | Butare, Rwanda

Congo DR 2-0 Mauritania (Group C) | 1500 | Butare, Rwanda

Ethiopia 0-0 Sierra Leone (Group A) | 2000 | El Jadida, Morocco

16 November

 

Botswana 2-3 Mozambique (Group G) | 1500 | Francistown, Botswana

Burundi 3-2 The Gambia (Group F) | 1600 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Gabon 2-1 Kenya (Group F) | 1700 | Franceville, Gabon

Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho (Group C) | 1700 | Uyo, Nigeria

Algeria 3-1 Somalia (Group G) | 1700 | Baraki, Algeria

 

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Ethiopia and Sierra Leone Group A 2026 World Cup opening qualifier ended in goalless (0-0) after a less productive display from both teams.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia, Sierra Leone Share Points After Barren Draw under Fog

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone Group A 2026 World Cup opening qualifier ended in goalless (0-0) after a less productive display from both teams.

Sierra Leone head coach Amidu Karim handed International debut to Derby County midfielder Tyrese Fornah and Abdulai Jarju Kabia Hapoel Kfar Saba defender at the Stade El Abdi (15.11.2023).

There was no urgency – both teams played pragmatic football with no clear-cut chances, no clear dominator, and the game became deadlocked at the break.

After a goalless first half, players returned to the Stade El Abdi to commence the second, but the mist prevented the match from continuing.

As a result, the contest was delayed due to bad weather conditions. The match was stopped due to a foggy stadium, which prevented the visibility of the players.

Mozambican Alvasio Celso officiates, assisted by Angola’s referees Jerson Emiliano, Ivanildo O Sancho and Mozambican fourth referee Guambe Bernardo, were all in discussion amid the poor weather conditions.

Eventually, the match was allowed to continue despite the misty conditions – the second 45 minutes was even worse as the contest became scrappy.

Both sides could not break the deadlock under such intimidating weather conditions.

Leone Stars were ranked 122nd in the latest FIFA rankings and now sit 21 places above their midweek opponents, who are still unbeaten after three meetings.

Sierra Leone will face the Pharaohs of Egypt on Sunday in the Liberian Capital as Burkina Faso visits Ethiopia on Tuesday in Morocco.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.com, African News, World Cup Qualifying News.

The Match officials halted the contest due to the misty foggy weather condition
The Match officials halted the contest due to the misty foggy weather condition
Women's League Board appointment delights Mariama Mansaray.
by David Lebbie

Women’s League Board appointment delights Mariama Mansaray

Southern Region’s most experienced female football Administrator, Mariama Mansaray (FC Mama), has resoundingly expressed happiness on her appointment as a Member of the Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League Board for the 2023/24 season.

Last Saturday, among eight others, Mariama Mansaray was appointed as a board member by the Sierra Leone Football Association.

“Being a female football administrator for the past twelve years beginning with a Male team (Kobonguiw Stars) at Suku Tamba Street in Bo before being elected to serve on the Bo District FA Executive and later Southern Region FA. Now, the SLFA – show how my commitment to the game has been recognized by the different administrative cadres,” FC Mama stated.

Lots of football stakeholders have congratulated her on her appointment.

A few notable ones are the erstwhile acting Chairman of the Southern Region Football Association, Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh, who referred to her as ‘the Southern Region Football Factotum’ whilst Alimamy Sartie Past BoDFA Chairman, described her as “the Epitome of Southern Region Football.”

Her inclusion on the Board has not come as a surprise. At the moment, Mariama Mansaray is the Southern Region Female Football Coordinator.

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APPOINTMENT OF SIERRA LEONE FEMALE PREMIER LEAGUE BOARD
APPOINTMENT OF SIERRA LEONE FEMALE PREMIER LEAGUE BOARD