Monrovia, Liberia — September 7, 2025 — The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone have begun their first training session in Monrovia as they ramp up preparations for a critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Ethiopia’s Walias on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The team’s training in the Liberian capital was characterized by high intensity, tactical focus, and unity, with players working closely under the technical staff’s guidance to fine-tune strategy and boost their performance readiness.
Confidence is steadily growing within the camp, and Sierra Leoneans both at home and abroad are being reassured that the national side is giving everything to deliver a performance that will make the nation proud.
These preparations follow Sierra Leone’s hard-earned 1-1 draw away to Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, September 4. At Bissau’s Estadio 24 de Setembro, veteran striker Kei Kamara opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time via a Sallieu Tarawallie assist. However, Guinea-Bissau responded late in the second half through Mama Baldé, who found the net in the 74th minute to salvage a point.
The result left Sierra Leone in a precarious position as they head into Matchday 8.
Group A Standings – 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (Matchday 7)
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 7 | 18 |
| 2 | Burkina Faso | 7 | 11 |
| 3 | Sierra Leone | 7 | 8 |
| 4 | Ethiopia | 7 | 6 |
| 5 | Guinea-Bissau | 7 | 6 |
| 6 | Djibouti | 7 | 1 |
— Top spot sees Egypt in firm control with 18 points; Burkina Faso next with 11. Sierra Leone sits third with 8 points, just ahead of Ethiopia and Guinea-Bissau, both on 6 points.
With Egypt leading the pack and Burkina Faso in strong pursuit, Sierra Leone finds itself in a tight battle for positioning, aiming to enhance their chances either of winning the group outright or securing a spot in the playoff as one of the best runners-up.
Tuesday’s clash against Ethiopia is crucial—not only for access to direct qualification but also for shaping potential playoff eligibility.
