By Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Burkina Faso reignited their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia.
Midfielder Mohamed Zougrana scored the decisive goal late in the first half to hand the Stallions a crucial three points and keep them within touching distance of group leaders Egypt.
Burkina Faso strike before the break
In a tense opening spell, both sides struggled to find rhythm on a heavy surface after early rainfall in Monrovia. Sierra Leone began brightly, with Kei Kamara and Augustus Kargbo forcing early saves from goalkeeper Kilian Nikiema.
However, Burkina Faso gradually gained control through Edmond Tapsoba and Ibrahim Touré in midfield. Their persistence paid off in the 42nd minute when Zougrana reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box, slotting calmly past Mohamed Kamara to give the visitors a vital lead before half-time.
Stallions stand firm to secure victory
Sierra Leone pushed hard after the interval, with substitute Mustapha Bundu adding energy to their attack, but Burkina Faso’s defence — marshalled superbly by Issa Kaboré and Tapsoba — stood resolute.
The Stallions could have sealed it late on when captain Bertrand Traoré’s curling effort narrowly missed the far post, but their single goal proved enough to secure all three points.
Qualification picture
The victory lifts Burkina Faso to second place in Group A with 18 points, five behind Egypt, while Sierra Leone stay on 12 points, their World Cup dream now hanging by a thread.
With one match remaining, Burkina Faso’s qualification fate remains firmly in their own hands ahead of a crucial home tie later this week.
Group A – Standings (as of 8 October 2025)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 2 | +17 | 23 |
| 2 | Burkina Faso | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 7 | +13 | 18 |
| 3 | Sierra Leone | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 9 | +1 | 12 |
| 4 | Guinea-Bissau | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 9 | –1 | 10 |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 11 | –3 | 9 |
| 6 | Djibouti | 9 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 31 | –27 | 1 |
Copyright©2025 kick442.com-Cameroon
All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written, or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from our management.
This site is not responsible for the content displayed by external sites
French 
English