The Egyptian national football team achieved a significant victory against Sierra Leone, defeating them 1-0 on March 25, 2025, during the sixth round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, held at Cairo International Stadium. Ahmed Sayed "Zizou" scored the crucial goal in the second minute of stoppage time, assisted by Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, helped secure the win for the Pharaohs.
This victory boosted Egypt's standings, raising their total points to 16, firmly placing them at the top of their group for the qualifiers ahead of Burkina Faso, who sits second with 11 points, and Sierra Leone, now in third with 8 points. Egypt's win was vital, especially after their recent success against Ethiopia, which brought them to the forefront of the group.
"Winning against Sierra Leone is crucial for our journey toward the World Cup 2026," stated Tamer Abdel Hamid, a former Zamalek star, emphasizing the importance of the match for the national team's morale and standing. With this game, Egypt aims to secure its place in the World Cup, as it's now leading its group with a commendable performance. Following a strong start to the qualifiers, the team has won five matches, drawn once, and remains undefeated.
The match on Tuesday night was a must-win for the team, not only for points but also to build confidence as they move deeper into the qualification process. Egypt's performance throughout this campaign has been impressive; in previous matches, they defeated Djibouti with a score of 6-0, followed by a 2-0 win over Sierra Leone, a tight 2-1 victory against Burkina Faso, and a draw against Guinea-Bissau. The team continued this streak with a 2-0 win against Ethiopia just before facing Sierra Leone.
As the team heads into the final rounds of qualifiers, they are set to face Ethiopia again at home before traveling to Burkina Faso. They will conclude their qualifying campaign with two matches against Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau later in October. Egypt has a rich history in World Cup participation, having previously qualified for the tournament in 1934, 1990, and most recently in 2018.
The supporters are optimistic as their beloved team leads the group, but they remain aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Egypt's national team, coached by former player Hossam Hassan, is under pressure to maintain this good run as they seek to qualify for a historic achievement.
Fans across the country celebrated the victory, knowing only good performances ahead will solidify a spot in next year's World Cup in the United States. With Zizou's goal demonstrating the successful collaboration among players, hope rides high on their success.
With the qualifiers still in progress, fans' engagement remains critical, and the national team's strategy will be pivotal in ensuring they secure their place in the World Cup. As momentum builds, the players aim to bring pride to their nation and represent Egypt well on the global stage once again.
