Category: African News

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Côte d’Ivoire beat The Gambia 2-0 to make it two in two in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cote d’Ivoire’s perfect start as Liberia suffer second defeat

2023 Africa Cup of Nations host Cote d’Ivoire recorded a second straight win in their 2026 World Cup qualifying after beating the Gambia 2-0 on Monday to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Christian Kouame and Seko Fofana scored the goals for the Elephant in Dar es Salaam at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, where Gambia played their home Group F tie.

As a result, Jean-Louis Gasset’s side topped Group H with six points and eleven goals in favour. 

Elsewhere in Group H, Ten-man Liberia suffered a second straight defeat in the qualifiers after Equatorial Guinea defeated the Lone Star 1-0 courtesy of captain Emilio Nsue’s early goal. 

Emilio Nsue was the scorer for Equatorial Guinea in their opening win against Namibia on Wednesday. 

In th day’s other matches, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya and Madagascar recorded emphatic away victories over Djibouti, Seychelles and Chad, respectively.

The qualifiers take place on Tuesday as teams aim to gain early advantages.

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FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying matches and results on Monday
FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying matches and results on Monday
A brace from striker Mahmoud Trezeguet gave Egypt a 2-0 win over a 9-man Sierra Leone at the Samuel K. Doe stadium in Monrovia on Sunday (19th November 2023)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nine-man Sierra Leone suffer 2-0 defeat to Egypt

Mahmoud Trezeguet scored a brace as Egypt dislodged nine-man Sierra Leone in match day two of the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Liberia on Sunday.

Coach Amidu Karim started brightly but was unable to take advantage of half-cut chances in the opening minutes of the game at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium.

The visitors took the lead in the 18-minute after a decent finish as Egypt maintained their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 away win against Sierra Leone in Liberia on Sunday.

His second came in the 62-second minute from a clever pass from Liverpool’s striker Mohamed Salah, who fines Trezequet to double the visitors lead.

Sierra Leone frustratedly finished the match with nine players on the field, as Tyrese Fornah and Abdul Jarju Kabia were sent off – with only a point from their opening two games. 

The victory bookmarked Egypt’s first victory over Leone Stars in three meetings as Leone Stars played two games in the qualifiers with no goals, one draw and a loss and two goals conceded,

Egypt sits atop Group A with an impeccable six points from two games, leading ahead of Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone, each having amassed only one point after one game.

How qualifying works

The nine group winners will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup 26™. The four best runners-up will compete for one place at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

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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.

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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.net, 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
Preview: Ethiopia, Sierra Leone 2026 World Cup qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Preview: Ethiopia, Sierra Leone 2026 World Cup qualifier

Ethiopia set to battle Sierra Leone at the Stade El Abdi on Wednesday in the opener of the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

Without a doubt, both sides will aim to kick off their qualification campaign with maximum points.

As the host team, the Walia Ibex will seek a bright start en route to make their FIFA World Cup debut in 2026 despite suffering a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, finishing first from bottom in Group D.

However, the newly appointed Ethiopia coach, Gebremedhin Haile, will be looking for a better performance in the World Cup qualifiers. 

Last week Thursday, Ethiopia Walias defeated Sudanese club side Al Hilal 2-0 in a test friendly ahead of facing Sierra Leone. Goals from Alelegn Azene and Bereket Desta. 

Sierra Leone, on the other hand, also struggled to impress in the AFCON qualifiers. They only managed a win from their Group A six matches, losing the last two to Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

But Sierra Leone had a good start under new coach Amidu Karim in Morocco in October’s training camp, where they shared the spoils 1-1 with Benin and defeated Somalia 2-0.

Ethiopia vs Sierra Leone Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

  • Wednesday’s game will mark the third meeting between the two nations. Ethiopia are undefeated in their previous two games in this fixture, picking up a win and a draw.
  • The two sides last faced off in a friendly clash in August 2021, which ended goalless.
  • Sierra Leone is without a clean sheet in their last two games in CAF AFCON qualifiers.
  • Ethiopia are without a win in their last three CAF Afcon qualifiers in Group D 
  • Leone Stars were ranked 122nd in the latest FIFA rankings and now sit 21 places above their midweek opponents.

 

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Mamelodi Sundowns crowned AFL champions as they see off Wydad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamelodi Sundowns crowned AFL champions as they see off Wydad

South African side Mamelodi Sundowns proved too strong for visitors Wydad Casablanca as they defeated the Moroccans 2-0 to win their first-ever African Football League (AFL) champions.

Wydad won the first let 2-1, but after a 2-0 second leg victory, Sundowns sealed a 3-2 aggregate triumph to earn themselves $4,000,000.

Goals from Peter Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba at a raucous Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria were enough to claim victory.

The first 30 minutes of the game saw both sides keep each other at bay, but while the first half was about to end, a defensive lapse from Wydad was punished by Sundowns after goalkeeper Youssef Motie parried Khuliso Mudua’s shot against the leg of Peter Shalulile, who then fired home.

Aubrey Maphosa Modiba completed the win in the 53rd minute after intercepting a wayward pass before racing through to double Sundowns’ advantage.

Wydad’s Ayoub El Amloud missed a late chance with a header, and Sundowns held firm to secure the historic AFL title. 

Coach Rulani Mokwena’s tactical prowess overcame early pressure, marking Sundowns as the inaugural champions of the new AFL competition.

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Mamelodi Sundowns crowned AFL champions as they see off Wydad
Mamelodi Sundowns crowned AFL champions as they see off Wydad
Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena dies after collapsing on the pitch
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena dies after collapsing on pitch

Former Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena collapsed and died aged 28 while playing for Egnatia against Partizani on Saturday. However, the game was halted at 1-1 with no further play.

The Football Federation further confirmed all football championships in Albania have been postponed to a later date.

“Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors he unfortunately passed away,” said the Albanian Football Federation (AFL).

“AFL expressed its deep shock for the tragedy that happened today during the match of the 13th week of “Abissnet Superiore”, Egnatia-Partizani.”

“Footballer Raphael Dwamena lost consciousness during the match, and after the first intervention of doctors on the field of play, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital.”

Dwamena has scored nine goals in the Albanian league this campaign as the leading scorer. He had won nine caps and scored two goals for Ghana.

“The Ghana Football Association is sad to hear of the death of our former player Raphael Dwamena and wish to express our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult moment,” GFA said in their statement.

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Ethiopia beat Al Hilal to prepare for Sierra Leone qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia beat Al Hilal to prepare for Sierra Leone qualifier

Ethiopia Walias defeated Sudanese club side Al Hilal 2-0 on Thursday in a test friendly ahead of facing Sierra Leone as they continue preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Goals from Bahir Dar Kenema defensive midfielder Alelegn Azene and Defence Force left wing back Bereket Desta were enough as the new head coach tested his side.  

Newly appointed head coach Gebremedhin Haile and his side will depart for Morocco on Friday for their World Cup qualifying doubleheader after meeting the media. 

Ethiopia host Sierra Leone on Wednesday, November 15, at the El Abdi Stadium in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier before taking on Burkina Faso six days later at the same venue.

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