Sierra Leone came out determined and better prepared than opponents Guinea-Bissau on Thursday as the Leone Stars emerged victorious with a 3-1 victory in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Complex in Paynesville, Liberia.
Guinea-Bissau were architects of their own downfall with the hosts punishing two massive errors that made the difference. Captain Mustapha Bundu put the Leone Stars ahead in the 19th minute after pouncing on an under hit back pass to poke the ball past onrushing Djurtus goalkeeper Manuel Baldé.
Sierra Leone coach Mohamed Kallon prepared his team brilliantly with a team that featured several domestic-based players who arrived early for a camp, as opposed to their opponents who brought in a squad entirely based abroad with much less time to prepare. The Leone Stars passed through a high pressing Guinea-Bissau side with ease.
Another gaffe from the Djurtus allowed Sierra Leone to double their lead soon after the hour mark when Baldé was closed down on the ball by Kei Kamara who tackled the ball over to Musa Noah Kamara for an easy finish.
The hosts had a slip in concentration to allow Guinea-Bissau to pull one back in the 69th minute from debutant Tamble Monteiro's long range effort.
Despite the sudden injection of suspense, Sierra Leone held off a few Bissau-Guinean attacks and Ibrahim Turay put the match away deep into stoppage time for a massive three points that re-energizes Sierra Leonean hopes ahead of a trip to Group A leaders Egypt.
Group A Table
GP | Points | |
Egypt | 4 | 10 |
Sierra Leone | 5 | 8 |
Guinea-Bissau | 5 | 6 |
Burkina Faso | 4 | 5 |
Ethiopia | 4 | 3 |
Djibouti | 4 | 1 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
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