By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

Amadou Bakayok aid Sierra Leone to a slight 1-0 victory against the African Champions Ivory Coast in their round four Group G qualifiers at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium last Tuesday evening.

Bakayoko, a striker based in Japan, scored a last-minute header to secure the win for the West African team, marking their first victory in the qualifiers and against Ivory Coast ever in football history.

Leone Stars managed to rebound back from their earlier two defeats and they established resilience to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The match remained level until the 85th minute when Sierra Leone won a free-kick, which was successfully converted by Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo striker, resulting in their first win in the qualifiers and moving them above Chad with four points from four matches.

Meanwhile, Zambia also claimed a 2-0 victory in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Tuesday.

The win placed them just two points behind Group G leaders Ivory Coast, who have a game in hand.

Zambia initially struggled in the match, with Chad having more shots on goal in the first 20 minutes.

Nevertheless, Zambia found their rhythm by the half-hour mark and began to dominate possession.

Kennedy Musonda scored the only goal in the 70th minute, and despite  late scare but with a penalty awarded to Chad. Zambia held on to secure all three points.