Author: Football Sierra Leone

Bilili Sesay's debut delight after World Cup qualifying win with Sierra Leone
by Football Sierra Leone

Bilili Sesay’s debut delight after World Cup qualifying win with Sierra Leone

Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay, a player for local Sierra Leone Premier League club Bhantal FC, made his international debut during a 3-1 win against Guinea-Bissau in World Cup qualifying on Thursday in Liberia’s capital.

Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone.

This performance was the perfect boost for Sesay, who has been impressive for Bhantal this season. “I’m delighted to have finally made my Sierra Leone debut,” Sesay said. “I felt good, I felt comfortable, and it’s a really happy moment for me.”

“A debut and a victory in a World Cup qualifier is a huge bonus for the entire Bhantal management.”

Next up for Sesay and his team is a trip to Cairo, Egypt, where they will face Mohamed Salah’s Pharaohs on matchday six of the qualifiers for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Coach Mohamed Kallon’s team will be up against the Group A leaders on Tuesday, following their recent victory against Guinea-Bissau in Liberia’s capital.

Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay has been pivotal for local Bhantal FC this campaign in the Sierra Leone top-flight
Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay has been pivotal for local Bhantal FC this campaign in the Sierra Leone top-flight
Sesay's teammate, Mohamed Bangura was handed his Sierra Leone debut for matchday five of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CAF Group A
Sesay's teammate, Mohamed Bangura was handed his Sierra Leone debut for matchday five of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CAF Group A
Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone
Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone
Striker Amadou Bakayoko records first Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo goal of the season
by Football Sierra Leone

Striker Amadou Bakayoko records first Hokkaido Sapporo goal of the season

Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko recorded his first goal of the season in Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo’s 2-1 win over Ehime FC at the Ningineer Stadium in week six of the JLeague 2.

It’s a back-to-back win for the first time for Bakoyok’s side in the Japanese second-tier league. As a result, they continue to move up the table to fifteen after a poor start to the season.

Japanese footballer Kimiya Moriyama had opened the scoring for the host team in the 9th minute, but the visitors held to level the scoring through Bakayoko in the 36th minute.

Bakoyoko was substituted in the 56th minute and replaced by Gun-Hee Kim as the team searched for the winning goal.

The South Korean player Kim Gun-Hee, who left Suwon to join Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the J1 League, scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute.

Morocco strengthens grip in Group E World Cup qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Morocco strengthen grip in Group E World Cup qualifiers

Morocco came from behind to defeat Niger 2-1, strengthening their lead in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers. Meanwhile, Guinea’s campaign suffered a setback with a frustrating goalless draw against Somalia.

In Oujda, the Atlas Lions, who reached the semi-finals in the last World Cup, fell behind after a goal from Niger’s Boubacar Goumey Oumarou in the 47th minute.

However, a triple substitution by coach Walid Regragui revitalized the team. Ismael Saibari equalized in the 59th minute, tapping in a clever assist from Brahim Diaz. Morocco secured the win with a late goal from Bilal El Khannouss in stoppage time, keeping them six points clear at the top of Group E.

In contrast, Guinea’s hopes crumbled in a disappointing 0-0 draw against Somalia, who are among the lowest-ranked in African football. Despite having Champions League star Serhou Guirassy, Guinea struggled to break down Somalia’s defensive setup, missing a chance to pressure Group G leaders Mozambique and second-placed Algeria.

As criticism of the team grows, Guinea faces a must-win match against Uganda next, while Morocco prepares to face Tanzania.

Bertrand Traoré nets as Burkina Faso down Djibouti in Group A tie
by Football Sierra Leone

Bertrand Traoré nets as Burkina Faso down Djibouti in Group A tie

Burkina Faso defeated Djibouti 4-1, allowing them to overtake Sierra Leone on goal difference ahead of matchday six against Guinea-Bissau in the World Cup qualification matches for Group A.

As a result, Burkina Faso now sits in second place, behind Egypt, who are set to play against Ethiopia later this evening in the race for qualification to the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Josue Tiendrebeogo opened the scoring in the 13th minute, and Bertrand Traoré doubled their lead in the 33rd minute at the Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi on Friday.

MC Alger player Mohamed Zougrana extended Burkina Faso’s lead to three goals, and Lassina Traoré capped it off with a fourth goal, making it 4-0.

Djibouti’s Samuel Akinbinu managed to pull one back with a consolation goal from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.

Group leaders Egypt will face Ethiopia later in the final match of group stage five.

On matchday six, Burkina Faso will travel to meet Guinea-Bissau at Estádio 24 de Setembro, while Ethiopia will host Djibouti at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi. Additionally, Sierra Leone will entertain Egypt in Cairo on Tuesday.

Moses Sesay marks his England's U18 debut with a goal
by Football Sierra Leone

Moses Sesay marks his England’s U18 debut with a goal

Sierra Leone native Moses Sesay scored on his England’s under-18 men’s debut as they came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Czechia in their first match of the calendar year.

The Young Lions fell behind in the first half of the international fixture held at Estadio de Sao Miguel. Just before halftime, Filip Ruzicka scored for Czechia, giving them the lead. The FC Viktoria Plzen forward’s shot deflected off a defender, sending goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff the wrong way and finding the back of the net.

However, Liam Bramley’s side fought back strongly in the second half. After seeing an initial effort cleared off the line, Moses Sesay marked his debut with a goal, levelling the score with a spectacular overhead bicycle kick just after the halftime mark, making it 1-1 in the 49th minute.

England took the lead with 75 minutes on the clock when they were awarded a penalty. Baylee Dipepa, Sesay’s club teammate, confidently stepped up to take the spot-kick and successfully converted it from 12 yards after coming off the bench, putting the Young Lions ahead 2-1.

Yet, there was one final twist in the match. In the 89th minute, Czechia equalized when Pavlo Simon pounced on a rebound after Whatmuff made an initial save. The match ended in a 2-2 draw in Portugal.

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.

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).