
Wasteful Egypt narrowly beat Sierra Leone to edge closer to World Cup finals - National Teams
Egypt's national team secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone in the sixth round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup at Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday, and move five points clear at the top.
Winger Ahmed 'Zizo' Sayed scored the sole goal in added time of the first half.
With this result, the Pharaohs maintain a firm hold on the top spot in Group A with 16 points from six matches, keeping a five-point lead over second-placed Burkina Faso, while Sierra Leone remain in third place with 8 points.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan opted for a 4-3-3 formation instead of the 3-4-3 used against Ethiopia just four days prior, making two changes to his lineup, which included Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed and Ahly defender Ahmed 'Koka' Nabil.
From the kickoff, Egypt besieged Sierra Leone in their defensive half, yet the front line struggled to convert their dominance into clear chances against the visitors' well-organized defense.
The Pharaohs' first significant opportunity arrived in the 16th minute when captain Mohamed Salah received a pass near the area, but his left-footed strike went just over the crossbar.
Six minutes later, Al-Rayyan forward Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan received a precise through ball on the left flank and cut into the area, only to see his effort blocked by goalkeeper Alhaji Sesay.
Despite continuous pressure from Hossam Hassan's side, Sierra Leone's robust defense limited clear scoring opportunities.
In the 32nd minute, a well-executed one-two between Salah and Manchester City's Omar Marmoush set the latter up on the left side of the area, but his right-footed shot sailed over the bar.
Just before halftime, Salah sent a brilliant pass to Trezeguet, who found himself in a one-on-one situation with Sesay but the Al-Rayyan forward failed to control the ball, which was easily collected by the keeper.
As the game progressed, Egypt's attacking intensity waned slightly, even as they maintained control.
However, Zizo finally broke the deadlock in the second minute of added time, connecting with Trezeguet's precise pass to slot the ball home with his left foot, marking his fourth international goal in 46 appearances and giving Egypt the lead just before halftime.
Wasted opportunities
The second half began unchanged, with Egypt continuing to pressure in search for a second goal, while Sierra Leone focused on their solid defense and swift counterattacks.
Just two minutes after the break, midfielder Marwan Attia struck the woodwork with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the area.
Salah came close to doubling the score in the 54th minute when Marmoush, making a deep run into the left side of the box, delivered a cross back to him, but Salah's left-footed shot went wide of the visitors' left post.
In the 66th minute, a shot from a Sierra Leone striker struck second-half substitute defender Hamdy Fathy on the arm; however, the referee did not deem it a penalty, and the decision stood.
A minute later, Zizo made a fast break into the box, but his cross to Marmoush went awry.
As the match drew to a close, both teams exchanged opportunities, but ultimately failed to find the back of the net, ending the game in a 1-0 victory for Egypt.
Next up for Egypt is a matchup against fourth-placed Ethiopia in the next round of World Cup qualifiers in September.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CAF
3 hours ago
- CAF
CAF unveils official poster and emblem for TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024
Published: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has unveiled the official logo and match emblem for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024 to be staged from July is a bold new look for a new era for women's football on the African continent and an iconic emblem for the prestigious tournament. Media wishing to access the official poster may do so HERE The TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 logo in its various formats can be found HERE For more information on the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024, visit Further Enquiries: communications@ CAF Communications Department


CAF
10 hours ago
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: A rising pillar in African Football's growth and evolution
· A platform for homegrown talent to shine on the continental stage · A key contributor to making African Football to be globally competitive and self-sustaining · Historic 2025 edition set for East Africa with increased prize money The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) has grown into a cornerstone of African football development, standing tall as a tournament with a unique identity and purpose. Unlike other major continental competitions, the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN tournament is reserved exclusively for players plying their in their trade in domestic leagues of their own countries — offering a crucial platform for local talent to shine on the continental stage. As CAF prepares to stage what will be the for 8th edition of the competition in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda between 2 – 30 August 2025, the importance of the competition in the African football ecosystem is more pronounced than ever. The tournament embodies the strategic ambitions of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, whose vision is centred on making African football globally competitive and self-sustaining. The 2022 edition in Algeria was a landmark moment for the competition, witnessing unprecedented growth in broadcast reach, fan attendance, and on-field competitiveness. Stadiums were packed with passionate supporters, games were broadcast to millions across Africa and beyond, and the quality of football underscored the progress of local leagues. The success of that tournament laid the groundwork for CHAN's continued evolution. In recognition of its growing stature, CAF has increased the prize money by 60%, with the winners now taking home USD 2 million. This not only adds prestige to the tournament but also provides a tangible incentive for Federations and players to the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN as a key competitive goal. Senegal, the reigning champions, will look to defend their crown in a historic edition of the competition set to take place across three East African nations - marking the first time the tournament will be co-hosted. It also represents CHAN's return to East Africa for the first time since Rwanda hosted in 2016, adding to the region's football momentum and infrastructure growth. TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Groups: GROUP A: Kenya, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Zambia GROUP B: Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic GROUP C: Uganda, Niger, Guinea, Algeria, South Africa GROUP D: Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Nigeria


CAF
12 hours ago
- CAF
Al Ahly eye global upset in star-studded FIFA Club World Cup
African giants Al Ahly SC are once again preparing to showcase their pedigree on the global stage as they gear up for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. The Egyptian powerhouse and record African champions , will enter the tournament aiming to translate their continental dominance into international recognition. Drawn into one of the tournament's most high-profile groups, Al Ahly will face Inter Miami (USA), Palmeiras (Brazil), and FC Porto (Portugal) in what promises to be a stern test of their credentials in Group A. Despite the glamour surrounding Inter Miami — a club boasting global icons like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets — Al Ahly will be equally confident as one of the best African clubs who are also not new to the Club World Cup. The American side, while heavy on star power, still lacks the cohesion and high-level tournament experience that Al Ahly have developed through decades of continental competition. However, it's Palmeiras and FC Porto who may pose more systemic threats. Palmeiras, the reigning Brazilian champions, bring relentless intensity, tactical organisation, and depth — hallmarks of modern South American football. FC Porto, a storied European club with a reputation for technical precision and youth development, offer another layer of challenge with their quick passing game and European match temperament. Now under the leadership of Spaniard Jose Riveiro, who took over the reins just a few weeks ago after a successful tenure with Orlando Pirates in South Africa, Al Ahly have the added advantage of a coach who knows how to win cup competitions. Emam Ashour has emerged as a central figure in this tactical setup, contributing 9 goals and 4 assists so far this season. His energy and creativity will be vital in unlocking opposition defences. Slovenian forward Nejc Gradisar has brought versatility and flair to the frontline, while fan favourites Afsha and Taher Mohamed continue to offer consistent offensive threat. Al Ahly have built a reputation for overachieving on the world stage, including multiple third-place finishes at past Club World Cups. While Group A is undoubtedly challenging, the Cairo club's rich tournament experience, tactical cohesion, and winning mentality make them a potential dark horse. Al Ahly SC FIFA Club World Cup Group A Fixtures: Sunday, 15 June: Al Ahly vs Inter Miami - 00h00 GMT Thursday, 19 June: Palmeiras vs Al Ahly – 16h00 GMT Tuesday, 24 June: FC Porto vs Al Ahly – 01h00 GMT