(Reuters) – Egypt’s Zizo scored in first-half stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone on Tuesday, strengthening their position at the top of their World Cup qualifying group.
Match Summary
Goal Scorer: Zizo (45+1’)
Venue: Cairo International Stadium
Group A Standings:
- Egypt: 16 points (1st place)
- Burkina Faso: 11 points (2nd place)
- Sierra Leone: 8 points (3rd place)
Egypt’s Dominance & Missed Chances
- Mohamed Salah missed an early opportunity, firing over the bar in the 15th minute.
- Omar Marmoush had a shot off-target after a backheel pass from Salah.
- Frustration grew among home fans as Egypt missed several chances before Trezeguet assisted Zizo for the decisive goal.
- Marwan Ateya struck the post in the second half, while Sierra Leone relied on counter-attacks, rarely threatening goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Coach Hossam Hassan’s Reaction
“We are top of the group, unlike the surprises happening in African football. I thank the players.”
The Egyptian coach remains focused on securing automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
“Four matches remain, two against direct competitors. We are taking it game by game.”
Upcoming Fixtures
Egypt’s Remaining Qualifiers:
September: Ethiopia (H) & Burkina Faso (A)
October: Djibouti (H) & Guinea-Bissau (A)
With this victory, Egypt edges closer to securing their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, needing just a few more positive results to confirm qualification.
