The Sierra Leone National team has dropped to third place in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers Group A following Burkina Faso’s 4-1 hammering of Djibouti.

The Leone Stars were sitting in second place after their 3-1 defeat over Guinea-Bissau. However, the Stallions goals galore against Djibouti edged Sierra Leone in second place with a better goal difference.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone is looking to regain that spot in a bid to secure their debut in the FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, the US and Canada, will face Group A leaders, Egypt.

The encounter, scheduled for Tuesday, 25th March, at the Cairo International Stadium, marks a significant moment for the team and their new coach, Mohamed Kallon, who has prepared for his second international match in charge.

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Kallon, a former captain of the national team, recently made an impressive debut as head coach, guiding the Leone Stars to a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau in his first outing. The win has not only boosted the players’ morale but has also instilled renewed confidence in the team’s pursuit of a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Currently, Sierra Leone sits third in the group standings with 8 points, level with Burkina Faso. Egypt leads the group with 13 points, while Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, and Djibouti round out the positions below. Kallon’s leadership is believed to be crucial as the team faces a challenging opponent in Egypt, who are regarded as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.

In their previous encounter on 19th November, 2023, Egypt defeated Sierra Leone 2-0, presenting Kallon with a formidable challenge. However, the Leone Stars aimed to leverage their recent success to turn the tide in the the upcoming critical match.

The Pharaohs come into the game after a strong performance against Ethiopia, winning 2-0, and were spearheaded by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who posed a significant threat to opposing defenses. Egypt’s offensive prowess has averaged 1.5 goals per game in their last 20 matches, while Sierra Leone has averaged 0.85 goals during the same period.

Kallon is aware of the stakes involved. A victory for the Leone Stars is believed to significantly enhance their positioning in the group and keep their World Cup dreams alive. Conversely, a win for Egypt would solidify their lead and bring them closer to qualification.

As the Leone Stars prepare for the crucial challenge, Mohamed Kallon has expressed determination to inspire his team to achieve a historic performance against the Egyptian giants. The entire nation stands behind the team, eagerly anticipating how Kallon’s leadership would shape the future of Sierra Leonean football.