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 Bittar@footballsierraleone.net, African News, World Cup Qualifying News.
