Facebook Twitter Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
A heroic performance by goalkeeper Abdirahman Maamaan and a disciplined defense help Somalia secure a surprising 0-0 draw against a strong Guinea side
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia made history on Friday by earning their first point in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They played a strong defensive game, holding Guinea to a 0-0 draw at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan. Many did not expect this result, and as the game progressed, it became even harder to believe that Somalia could keep Guinea from scoring.
The hero of the night was Somalia’s goalkeeper, Abdirahman Maamaan. While he may not be a famous name in European football, he proved his worth in this match. The 25-year-old made an incredible 13 saves, keeping out every shot that Guinea fired at him. His best moment came in the second half when he stopped a close-range shot from Guinea’s striker, Serhou Guirassy, a save that kept Somalia in the game.
Guinea, a team full of players from top leagues like the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and La Liga, controlled most of the match. They had more possession, created more chances, and kept the pressure on Somalia. François Kamano was a constant threat, Issiaga Sylla made dangerous runs down the wing, and Mohamed Ali Camara was a danger on set pieces. However, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t get past Somalia’s defense. In the 30th minute, Camara struck a powerful volley from a corner kick, but Maamaan made a fantastic save to push it wide. That moment set the tone for the rest of the match.
Somalia played a smart and disciplined game. They focused on defending and looked for opportunities to counter-attack. Their best chance came in the 75th minute when 18-year-old Yusuf Ahmed, playing in only his third international match, ran past Guinea’s defense. However, his shot narrowly missed the target.
Despite having only 34% possession, Somalia’s defense stayed strong. Fullback Yonis Farah made a crucial tackle to stop Guirassy from scoring an easy goal, while captain Ahmed Abdi led the backline with experience and confidence.
For Guinea, this result was a big disappointment. They were expected to win easily, but the draw leaves them in a difficult position in Group G. They are now five points behind group leaders Algeria and Mozambique, who both have 12 points. With a tough away game against Uganda coming up, Guinea’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup are now at risk.
For Somalia, this match was a moment of progress. After losing their first four games in the qualifiers, they finally showed that they can compete with strong teams. This result gives them confidence for the future.
Next, Somalia will face Botswana on Tuesday. Before this game, many would have thought Somalia had no chance. But after their performance against Guinea, they might just pull off another surprise.