World Cup (Q): Burkina Faso hold off Sierra Leone for crucial win

Burkina Faso secured second place in Group A from 2026 World Cup qualifying with a 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone on Wednesday in Liberia.

Vidéo du but de Mohamed Zoungrana

67′

Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 0-1 Burkina Faso 🇧🇫

⚽ 42′ Mohamed Zoungrana sur une passe décisive de Bertrand Traoré.

[9e journée des éliminatoires de la Coupe du monde 2026]#WCQ2026 pic.twitter.com/DBeB2gOFQ9

— Ablam GNAMESSO (@AblamGnamesso) October 8, 2025

Mohamed Zoungrana’s flick header from a Bertrand Traoré corner kick was enough for the Stallions to get the result they needed and a massive three points away from home. The goal could also be crucial as the West African nation pushes to secure a place in the Second Round regional playoff as one of the four best group runners-up.

The first half was an even battle at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex but the hosts could not find a way past the strong Burkinabe defense. With regular #1 goalkeeper Hervé Koffi ruled out, backup Killian Nikiema was well protected by the central defensive partnership of Edmond Tapsoba and Issoufou Dayo before Zoungrana headed in the only goal just before halftime.

The hosts, with their qualifying dreams fading away, furiously pushed for an equalizer in the second half but it was not to be for the attack led by Kei Kamara, Augustus Kargbo and Momoh Kamara. The match settled down after the hour mark and the Burkinabe selection held on without too much trouble in the end.

Now the mission for the Stallions is to defeat Ethiopia in their final Group A match in Ouagadougou on Sunday. It appears that a victory will be enough for the Burkinabe team to secure a place in the four-team African regional playoff while Egypt directly qualify for the finals after defeating Djibouti on Wednesday.

Updated Group A Table

1. Egypt- 23 points
2. Burkina Faso- 18 points
3. Sierra Leone- 12 points
4. Guinea-Bissau- 10 points
5. Ethiopia- 9 points
6. Djibouti- 1 point