Category: Football Africa

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
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.

Emilio Nsu returns to Equatorial Guinea squad after Fifa suspension
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emilio Nsue returns to Equatorial Guinea squad after Fifa suspension

Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue López has been recalled for his nation’s day five and six World Cup qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe and Namibia match after ineligibility Fifa suspension.

Nsue, the top scorer in the recent Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations final, was last May suspended for six months by FIFA. He was suspended for failing to properly complete the change of nationality procedure when he switched to Equatorial Guinea, after playing for Spain at junior level previously.

FIFA then approved Nsue’s switch of football nationality, and the player was among coach Juan Micha’s 25 for the forthcoming qualifiers.

Friday hosts Malabo as it takes on São Tomé and Príncipe while Nzalang Nacional is back with an away match against Namibia on March 24 at Polokwane, South Africa.

Equatorial Guinea has three points in Group H as their initial victories over Namibia and Liberia were overturned, and they lost 0-3 due to Nsue’s dilemma.

Full Squad:

  • Goalkeepers: Miguel Oscar (Deportivo Mongomo), Jesus Owono (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Manuel Sapunga (Polokwane City, South Africa)
  • Defenders: Carlos Akapo (Amazonas, Brazil), Marvin Anieboh (UD San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain), Marcelo Asumu Nguema (DVO Unidad), Santi Boriko (Castellon B, Spain), Saul Coco (Torino, Italy), Basilio Ndong (Universitatea Craiova, Romania), Luis Enrique Nsue (COD Meknes, Morocco), Esteban Orozco (Arges, Romania)
  • Midfielders: Gael Akogo (Recreativo Granada, Spain), Federico Bikoro (Raja Casablanca, Morocco), Enrique Biribe (Cano Sport Academy), Jannick Buyla (Tarazona, Spain), Santiago Eneme (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Pablo Ganet (Merida, Spain), Jose Machin (Cartagena, Spain), Oscar Mascarelli (Mallorca, Spain)
  • Forwards: Luis Asue (Moreirense, Portugal), Dorian Junior (Marbella, Spain), Cristian Makate (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium), Josete Miranda (Iraklis 1908, Greece), Emilio Nsue (Inter City, Spain), Iban Salvador (Wisla Plock, Poland)
Bertrand Traore recall as Burkina Faso host Djibouti in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bertrand Traore recall as Burkina Faso set for Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau

Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore has returned to the national team for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Djibouti at the Stade El Abdi on Friday before they travel to face the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau.

They are currently in third place, sharing the same number of points with Sierra Leone, who leads on goal difference. Traoré will aim to build momentum as Burkina Faso seeks qualification for their first FIFA World Cup.

Key returning players include goalkeeper Hervé Koffi (Lens), defender Mohamed Ali Yabré (PSV Eindhoven), and midfielder Ismahila Ouédraogo (Atromitos), all of whom missed recent matches. 

Other notable returnees are defender Adamo Nagalo (PSV Eindhoven), midfielder Ibrahim Blati Touré (Pyramids FC), and winger Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth).

  • New Faces in the Squad

Three players are making their debut: Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger), Arsène Kouassi (Ajaccio), and Cyriaque Irié (Troyes). Josué Tiendrébéogo (Annecy) maintains his spot, alongside established players like Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen) and Cédric Badolo (Spartak Trnava).

  • Squad Strength

The squad features a mix of experience and young talent. Koffi is backed by Sofiane Ouédraogo (AS Vita Club) and Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag). Tapsoba anchors the defense along with Yacouba Djiga (Wolverhampton) and Issa Kaboré (Werder Bremen). In midfield, Blati Touré, Cédric Badolo, and Mohamed Zougrana are expected to play key roles.

Burkina Faso hopes to impress in these qualifiers as they aim for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Burkina Faso Squad

Goalkeepers: Hervé Koffi (Lens, France), Sofiane Ouédraogo (AS Vita Club, DRC), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)

Defenders: Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Yacouba Djiga (Wolverhampton, England), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Adamo Nagalo (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Issa Kaboré (Werder Bremen, Germany), Mohamed Yabré (ASEC Mimosas, Ivory Coast),

Arsène Kouassi (Ajaccio, France), Issoufou Dayo (RS Berkane, Morocco)

Midfielders: Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger, Algeria), Ismahila Ouédraogo (Pansekairos, Greece), Saïdou Simporé (Al Masry, Egypt), Ibrahim Blati Touré (Pyramids FC, Egypt), Cédric Badolo (Spartak Trnava, Slovakia), Raouf Memel Dao (Sonabel, Burkina Faso), Josué Tiendrébéogo (Annecy, France), Salou Dramane (Hapoel Haifa, Israel)

Forwards: Dango Ouattara (AFC Bournemouth, England), Hassane Bandé (HJK Helsinki, Finland), Cyriaque Irié (Troyes, France), Lassina Traoré (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Mohamed Konaté (Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Bertrand Traoré (Ajax, Netherlands)