Cabo Verde reached their first FIFA World Cup™ on one of the greatest days in the country’s sporting history. Bubista’s Blue Sharks overcame Eswatini to finish four points clear of Cameroon, who were held by Angola.
Tunisia had already booked a North American adventure, but they ensured they will finish with the best record in African qualifying. Sami Trabelsi’s side dropped only two points, while Aymen Dahmen’s remarkable reflexes saw them navigate their entire campaign without conceding.
Elsewhere, São Tomé and Príncipe got their first victory in the World Cup preliminaries in 10 years, while Equatorial Guinea-Liberia, Mauritius-Libya and South Sudan-Togo finished in draws.
Group B
South Sudan 0-0 Togo
South Sudan and Togo brought the curtain down on their qualification campaign with a contest that had plenty of commitment and determination, despite the lack of goals. The hosts’ Majak Mawith was the busier of the two goalkeepers, producing a number of good saves, including a fine one-handed stop from Kevin Boma’s low effort from the right of the box midway through the second half.
Substitute Innocent Ronald missed arguably the best chance of the game shortly after coming on at a noisy Juba Stadium, when he side-footed wide of the target from 10 yards out with only Togo No1 Steven Mensah to beat.
Group C
Lesotho 1-0 Zimbabwe
Lesotho goal: Kalake (90+3)
A stunning last-gasp goal from substitute Hlompho Kalake earned Lesotho victory over Zimbabwe.
Emmanuel Jalai shot fractions wide for Zimbabwe in the first half, before Lesotho’s Mphale Mphalaole had a powerful drive blocked by Gerald Takwara. Lesotho defender Motlomelo Mkhwanazi then made an excellent goal-line clearance to prevent Bill Antonio from opening the scoring midway through the second period. The game looked certain to be heading for a goalless draw before Kalake slammed home a spectacular effort from outside the box.
Group D
Cabo Verde 3-0 Eswatini
Cabo Verde goals: Livramento (48), W. Semedo (55), Stopira (90)
Cabo Verde qualified with a final flourish after being pushed all the way by Cameroon. After struggling with the swirling wind in the opening half, the Blue Sharks secured the breakthrough when Dailon Livramento converted from close range after a Yannick Semedo cross kindly fell into his path.
Cabo Verde continued to attack and, after Jamiro Monteiro crashed the crossbar from distance, Willy Semedo struck home from five yards out after a Ryan Mendes cross was headed back across goal to send the packed crowd at Estadio Nacional De Cabo Verde into delirium. The icing was put on the cake by 37-year-old substitute Stopira, who made his Cabo Verde debut back in 2008.
Mauritius 0-0 Libya
Mauritius and Libya played out an attritional goalless draw in a match between two teams who have been eliminated. Libya were the more progressive side throughout but were frustrated by their spirited hosts.
Ezzeddin El Maremi came closest to scoring in the first half, heading just over the crossbar. Libya continued to look the most likely to score after the break, and substitute Husain Taqtaq volleyed fractions wide of the post. They could not find the breakthrough, however, as the home team held firm. Libya finished Group D in third position, with Mauritius fifth.
Cameroon 0-0 Angola
Cameroon face an anxious wait to see if they will reach the second round of African qualifying after their automatic hopes were extinguished.
Marc Brys’s Indomitable Lions had the first half’s best opportunity, the unmarked Nouhou Tolo heading an appetising Mahamadou Nagida free-kick straight into the arms of Hugo Marques. Arthur Avom curled one just wide at the start of the second, before Angola threatened. Andre Onana produced a huge save from Chico Banza, and Mabululo hit the woodwork twice with two excellent drives.
Group H
Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Liberia
Equatorial Guinea goal:Bikoro (15)
Liberia goal: Andrews (28)
Liberia came from behind to snatch a hard-earned draw in Malabo and end a creditable but ultimately unsuccessful campaign on a high. Their already-eliminated hosts completely dominated the first half and looked to be heading for a morale-boosting win, when Federico Bikoro reacted quickest in a penalty-box scramble to fire home left-footed.
But despite plenty more chances, and a free-kick from Jose Nabil that rattled the crossbar, Equatorial Guinea’s qualifying woes continued when – completely against the run of play – they surrendered their winning position. It was all too easy for the visitors as Nicholas Andrews received a fine pass from Divine Teah, weaved his way past a weak challenge and shot beyond Manuel Sapunga at a poorly-guarded near post.
São Tomé and Príncipe 1-0 Malawi
São Tomé and Príncipe goal: Afonso pen (62)
São Tomé and Príncipe ended their campaign on a high with a narrow victory over Malawi. The win was their first in World Cup qualifying since a 1-0 success against Ethiopia in 2015.
While both teams came into the game knowing their chances of reaching next year’s global finals were over, they battled hard in an engaging contest in Sousse, Tunisia. After a tightly contested first half, São Tomé and Príncipe struck the decisive blow just after the hour. Malawi’s Gomezgani Chirwa fouled Sergio Male in the penalty box, the referee pointed to the spot, and Ronaldo Afonso rifled home from 12 yards. São Tomé and Príncipe then defended with impressive steel and organisation to keep Malawi at bay and secure their first Group H points.
Tunisia 3-0 Namibia
Tunisia goals: Abdi pen (28), Mejbri (56), Sassi (64)
Aymen Dahmen and Hannibal Mejbri excelled as the Carthage Eagles completed a near-perfect campaign in style. Tunisia went ahead in Rades when Charles Hambira tripped Mejbri, and Ali Abdi sent goalkeeper Kamaijanda Ndisiro the wrong way with the resulting penalty.
Mejbri, whose trickery was an incessant torment to the visitors, added a second when his cross deceived everyone, before Sassi made it three. Tunisia’s clean sheet was indebted to Dahmen, who made several saves including one magnificent one from an acrobatic Peter Shalulile effort.
How qualifying works
The nine group winners will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup 26™. The four best runners-up will then compete for one place at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
