Egypt maintained their unbeaten record in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The result keeps the Pharaohs firmly at the top of Group A, extending their lead to 16 points after six matches.
Zizo Strikes Before Half-Time
With a vibrant atmosphere in Cairo, Egypt started the game on the front foot, dominating possession and pushing for an early breakthrough. Mohamed Salah was a constant threat in the opening stages, but Sierra Leone goalkeeper Alhaji Sesay was equal to the task, making key saves to keep the hosts at bay.
Sierra Leone grew into the game towards the end of the first half, with veteran striker Kei Kamara testing Mohamed El Shenawy with a well-struck effort, but the Egyptian shot-stopper reacted swiftly to deny him.
The deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of halftime in the 47th minute when Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed finished off a well-worked team move, easing the pressure on the home side as they went into the break with a crucial lead.
Pharaohs Dominate but Fail to Extend Lead
Egypt continued to control proceedings in the second half, but they struggled to convert their chances. Salah missed a golden opportunity in the 53rd minute after receiving a well-placed pass from Omar Marmoush, failing to hit the target from close range.
Sierra Leone had a penalty appeal in the 64th minute when the ball struck an Egyptian defender inside the box, but the referee waved away their claims.
Egypt nearly doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute when Salah and Marmoush combined again, but their final ball failed to find Trezeguet, who was waiting in front of goal.
Despite a tense final five minutes, Sierra Leone failed to create clear-cut chances, allowing Egypt to see out the game and secure all three points.
The Pharaohs will now shift their focus to the next round of qualifiers in September as they continue their quest for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
