2026 WCQ: Legendary goalkeeping frustrates Guinea as Somalia collects shock point

Somalia earned their first point of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday with a brave and resilient performance in a shock 0-0 draw against Guinea at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The Ocean Boys survived a tsunami of Guinean attacks to earn a point against a team of players who all play their club football in European top divisions.

Somalia goalkeeper Abdirahman Maamaan made over thirteen saves in the victory, turning in a spectacular effort to deny the big names of the Guinean attack which included Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy. Maamaan's first excellent save came in the 30th minute when an Issiaga Sylla cross fell kindly for center back Mohamed Ali Camara but Maamaan bravely came out to deny Camara's shot.

The siege continued on the Somalian goal but Maamaan continued to stand on his head. François Kamano was denied on two occasions both sides of halftime. Guirassy should have opened the scoring in the 58th minute when Kamano's shot was spilled into his path but a desperate lunging tackle from behind by fullback Yonis Farah did just enough to throw Guirassy off.

18-year-old Somalia forward Yusuf Ahmed had a brilliant opportunity to steal the victory for the underdogs but could not finish getting after behind the Guinean defense on the right wing.

However, the point was safe thanks to the gloves of Maamaan whose performance was legendary for a national team that continues to make strides in their efforts for legitimacy in African football.

For Guinea, the result is devastating. An assumed three points turns into only one and the Syli National are five points back of group co-leaders Algeria and Mozambique ahead of a trip to Uganda on Tuesday. Somaia will travel to Botswana for their next match on the same day.

Group G Table (5 matches played)