Leone Stars Conclude World Cup Qualifiers with Victory Over Djibouti

Leone Stars Conclude World Cup Qualifiers with Victory Over Djibouti

The Sierra Leone national football team, the Leone Stars, ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on a high note with a 2-1 comeback victory over Djibouti in Casablanca, Morocco. Despite the win, Sierra Leone's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup were dashed earlier in the campaign.

Djibouti took an early lead, but Sierra Leone responded strongly. Juma Bah equalized just before halftime (45+’), and Tarawalie secured the win with a goal in the 72nd minute. The team's resilience and fighting spirit were evident throughout the match.

Despite the victory, Sierra Leone finished third in CAF Group A with 15 points from 10 matches, behind Egypt (26 points) and Burkina Faso (21 points). Only the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, and the four best runners-up advance to an intercontinental playoff. Sierra Leone did not secure a spot in the playoffs, marking the end of their World Cup aspirations for 2026.

Leone Stars will now focus on rebuilding and preparing for future competitions. The team's performance in the qualifiers has shown promise, and with continued development, they aim to return stronger in upcoming tournaments.