In Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, the Green, White and Blue boys of Sierra Leone, the darling Leone Stars, made history in the 2026 World Cup African qualifier when they thrashed the Ethiopians 2 – 0 in front of less than six hundred spectators in Monrovia. (Photo: Kei Kamara of Leone Stars celebrated on Tuesday).

Amid the disgraceful episode of playing home matches in neighbouring Liberia due to the lack of availability of the damaged National Stadium in Freetown, the Leone Stars boys displayed professionalism under the watch of Head Coach Mohamed Kallon.

Leone Stars’ excellent performance on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, against the Ethiopian national football team has put Sierra Leone in third place in Group A, a sound sporting footing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in North America. (Photos: Leone Stars Head Coach Mohamed Kallon with the team).

It is a long time to go for Leone Stars to properly qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but at the moment, Sierra Leone is in a fantastic position, though it has little chance of making it to the USA 26. As for playing home games in Monrovia since 2020, it is the most disgraceful thing to happen to Sierra Leone.

Thankfully, with the upcoming political transition of power, the next President of Sierra Leone, Dr Samura Kamara, will refurbish the National Stadium without delay, allowing the Leone Stars to play their matches in Freetown. Full reports on Leone Stars and other African nations –

Sierra Leone Beat Ethiopia to Climb to Third in Group A

Sierra Leone secured a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, climbing to third place in their group with 12 points. The Leone Stars took control of the game through Momoh Ibrahim Kamara, who opened the scoring after being set up by Sallieu Tarawallie. The second goal came from Alhassan Koroma, finishing off a fine move assisted by Juma Bah to seal the win.

The result leaves Sierra Leone sitting in third position with 12 points despite no chance of qualifying. Ethiopia, meanwhile, remain in fifth place with just 6 points, their campaign already gone out of the window as the group stage edges toward its conclusion. It was a professional display from the Leone Stars, who showed efficiency in attack and composure at the back to collect all three points.

Zambia FA Extends Gratitude to Fans and Legends

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to the thousands of fans who turned up in their numbers and filled the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium during the recent FIFA World Cup qualifier against Morocco. “We are grateful for the massive turnout by the fans at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Monday that never stopped spurring the team on despite being down,” said FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande.

“To our fans, we say we cannot thank you enough, as your passion, commitment, and unwavering support were on full display throughout the match, giving the Chipolopolo the strength to compete in what was always going to be a tough assignment. FAZ takes special recognition of the fact that even after the unfavourable result, the fans stood firmly behind the team. This spirit of loyalty and belief is invaluable, and we do not take it for granted.” He also took special cognisance of the various legends and administrators that showed up for the Chipolopolo in the true spirit.

“We also wish to acknowledge and appreciate the presence of some of our football legends, among them Fredrick Kashimoto, Peter Kaumba, the Malitoli brothers, Moldon and Kenneth, Lewis Shambulo, Jericho Shinde, Peter M’hango, Dean Mwinde, Boston Chambeshi, and many others, who honoured the occasion with their attendance. Their presence served as a strong reminder of our rich football heritage and a source of inspiration to both players and supporters alike,” Shepande added.

“The presence of administrative giants in the form of former FAZ presidents like Michael Chiti, Teddy Mulonga and Kalusha Bwalya, among others, was a testament to the great Zambian spirit of joining forces in good and bad times. As an association, we remain committed to working hard to deliver results that reflect the aspirations of our great footballing nation. We therefore appeal to all fans to continue rallying behind the Chipolopolo in future fixtures as we pursue our shared dream of qualification.” (Photo: Benin National Team).

Benin Thrash Lesotho 4-0 to Move Second in Their Group

Benin delivered a dominant performance as they crushed Lesotho 4-0 in their World Cup qualifying clash, tightening their grip on the group and pushing Nigeria’s hopes of qualification into deeper uncertainty. The Squirrels set the tone early when Steve Mounié opened the scoring in the 6th minute. Mounié then turned provider, setting up Andreas Hountondji in the 23rd minute to double the lead.

Ten minutes later, Hassan Imourane found the back of the net after a clever assist from Junior Olaitan, giving Benin a commanding 3-0 advantage before the break. In the second half, Olaitan capped off his fine display with a well-taken goal in the 67th minute, sealing a resounding 4-0 victory. The emphatic win not only lifted Benin’s spirits but also propelled them above Nigeria in the standings, leaving the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification dreams hanging by a thread.

Egypt Fail to Rubber-Stamp Qualification After Burkina Faso Draw

Egypt missed the chance to rubber-stamp qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 0-0 draw against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou on Tuesday. The Pharaohs lost Omar Marmoush early to injury and, despite long spells of control, could not find a way past a robust Burkina Faso. Mohamed Salah had a first-half effort ruled out for offside and Mostafa Mohamed fired wide late on, while the Stallions – led by Bertrand Traoré – finished the stronger without landing the decisive blow. (Photo: Egypt’s captain Mohamed Salah).

With two matches remaining, the section remains open. Meanwhile, Senegal produced a stirring comeback in Kinshasa to leapfrog DR Congo at the top of Group B. The Leopards raced into a two-goal lead: Bakambu swept home after a fine move and Wissa doubled the advantage following a handling error by Édouard Mendy.

Côte D’Ivoire and Gabon Share Spoils in Fierce Goalless Battle as World Cup Race Heats Up

Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon played out a scintillating goalless draw in a World Cup qualifier that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams showed their intent from the blast of the whistle, trying to outdo each other in a fiercely contested encounter. Côte d’Ivoire, who sit at the top of the group, came into the game with just a point separating them from Gabon. Despite their strong position, it was the Panthers who took control of proceedings, dominating possession and pushing relentlessly in search of a breakthrough. (Photo: Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo).

The Ivorians, however, stood firm at the back, ensuring that Gabon’s attacking efforts ended in frustration. With just two matches left in the qualifiers, the battle for the World Cup slot has been reduced to a two-horse race. Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon remain the only contenders, as the rest of the teams have fallen out of contention. The goalless stalemate means the Elephants maintain their slender lead at the summit, but the fight promises to go right down to the wire. Every moment, every point, and every goal in the next two games will be decisive, as both nations dream of securing a ticket to the world’s biggest football stage.

Togo Edge Sudan to Dent Falcons’ World Cup Dream

Togo dealt Sudan a crushing blow in their World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory in Lomé, a result that mathematically ends the Falcons of Jadyan’s hopes of reaching the 2026 finals. The decisive moment came early, in the sixth minute, when Sadik Fofana latched onto a pass from Karim Dermane and finished clinically to give the Sparrowhawks the lead. That goal would prove enough on a night where clear chances were few and far between.

Sudan, who entered the game still clinging to qualification hopes, failed to muster a single shot on target, struggling to break down a well-organized Togo defense. Their frustration was compounded by Mohamed Erneq’s early yellow card in the fourth minute, setting the tone for a difficult evening. Togo, meanwhile, showed discipline and composure, managing the game effectively after taking the early lead.

Yaw Annor picked up a booking late in the second half, but the hosts held firm until the final whistle. The result leaves Sudan out of the running for a place at the 2026 World Cup, while Togo celebrates a hard-fought win that lifts spirits in their camp. For the Falcons of Jadyan, the dream ends here, with only pride left to play for in the remaining fixtures. (Photo: Togo National Team).

Super Eagles’ Chances Wane After 1-1 Draw with South Africa

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered another setback on Tuesday as the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in their Group C clash on matchday eight. The highly anticipated encounter lived up to its billing, with both sides showing attacking intent from the start. However, it was the hosts who struck first when Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong turned the ball into his own net, handing Bafana Bafana the advantage.

The setback spurred the Super Eagles into action, and they found their response late in the first half. Defender Calvin Bassey rose highest to power home the equaliser, ensuring Nigeria went into the break level. Both teams pressed for a winner after the restart, but solid defensive displays and missed chances ensured the spoils were shared.

The result leaves South Africa firmly in control of the group on 17 points, while Nigeria remain second with 11 points and with plenty of work to do to keep their qualification hopes alive. The Super Eagles will return to action in October for crucial matchday nine and ten fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic, where maximum points will be vital to reignite their World Cup dream.

Benni McCarthy’s Kenya Smash Five Past Seychelles

Kenya blew away Seychelles in Nairobi to record their biggest win of the campaign and keep themselves in the conversation behind the front two. Ryan Ogam set the tone with a sharp finish inside seven minutes before centre-back Charles Sichenje doubled the lead on 35 minutes from a set piece. Ogam struck again three minutes later, and Michael Olunga converted a penalty in first-half added time to make it four at the break. (Photo: Kenya player).

Olunga swept in a fifth on 67 minutes to cap a dominant display. The result lifted Kenya to nine points from eight matches. They remain behind leaders Côte d’Ivoire on 19 and second-placed Gabon on 18, but the margin to third-placed Burundi (10) narrows with two fixtures to come in March. Seychelles remain winless. For Kenya, the manner of victory – clean sheet, clinical finishing and control – gives Benni McCarthy’s side a dose of momentum ahead of a daunting finish that will probably require perfection and help elsewhere.

Niger Make History with First-Ever Victory Over Tanzania

Niger etched their name into the history books on Tuesday afternoon with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Tanzania at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar City – their first-ever win over the Taifa Stars in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. The opening 10 minutes set the tone for an entertaining contest, with both sides trading early chances and sharing possession almost evenly. The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, as fans roared with every forward push from their teams.

Niger gradually found their rhythm midway through the first half, dictating play with composure in possession, while Tanzania relied on quick counterattacks. Despite the promising exchanges, neither team managed to break the deadlock, and the first half ended goalless. After the restart, Niger emerged as the more purposeful side, consistently pressing into the Tanzanian half. Their persistence paid off in the 58th minute when Daniel Sosah calmly finished after a spell of sustained pressure to hand the visitors a crucial lead.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 79th minute when Boureima Katakore received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card, reducing Niger to 10 men. Tanzania pushed hard to capitalize on their numerical advantage, but the visitors’ defense held firm, frustrating the hosts in the final third. In the end, Niger’s resilience paid off as they secured a historic 1-0 triumph – a result that not only delivered their first victory against Tanzania but also boosted their hopes in the CAF FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Courtesy: https://en.africatopsports.com