Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and South Africa returned to the FIFA World Cup™ on a dramatic final day of CAF qualifying.
In Group C, South Africa took advantage of Benin’s loss to Nigeria to leapfrog into first, with the Super Eagles soaring into second. Côte d’Ivoire left no doubt in downing Kenya to clinch Group F, while Senegal ran rampant at home against Mauritania to sew up Group B.
Meanwhile, Congo DR, Nigeria and Gabon all emerged victorious and confirmed their places in next month’s African Play-Off Tournament, joining Cameroon.
Elsewhere, Uganda finished Group G runners-up despite defeat to Algeria, while The Gambia went on a goal spree in the Seychelles.
Group B
Congo DR goal: Bongonda (29)
Congo DR emerged victorious in the final match of their qualifying campaign but missed out on an automatic place at next year’s global finals following Senegal’s victory. They secured their spot in the African Play-Off Tournament in November, however. The three points were secured just before the half-hour mark courtesy of an exquisite effort from Theo Bongonda which beat Sudan keeper Munjed Alnil at the near post.
Senegal goals: Mane (45+1 & 49), Ndiaye (64), Diallo (85)
Senegal punched their World Cup ticket in style with a decisive win against Mauritania in Diamniadio
Mauritania goalkeeper Abderrahmane Sarr did well to deny a pair of hard hits from Ismaila Sarr and El Hadji Malick Diouf, but he was helpless to prevent the opener from Sadio Mane, who curled in a right-footed free-kick moments before intermission.
The goal eased the pressure on the Lions of Teranga, and their football started to flow in the second half, beginning with Mane’s second of the night from inside the area. The festive night was then capped by Iliman Ndiaye’s breathtaking solo run and Habib Diallo’s clinical finish.
Group C
Nigeria goals: Osimhen (3, 37 & 51), Onyeka (90)
Victor Osimhen scored a superb hat-trick as Nigeria boosted their qualifying hopes and broke Benin’s hearts amid a thrilling conclusion to Group C.
The visitors began the day in pole position but made the worst possible start in Uyo, falling behind inside the first three minutes. A loose pass in midfield allowed Samuel Chukwueze to snatch possession and thread a superb through ball to Osimhen, and the Super Eagles No9 obliged with a typically decisive finish.
Chukwueze remained a constant thorn in the visitors’ side, and he was again the architect when the lead was doubled as half-time approached. No-one across the past week’s World Cup qualifiers will have delivered a better cross than the winger’s inch-perfect inswinger, which Osimhen rewarded with a towering back-post header.
Benin simply had no answer to the Galatasaray striker’s pace and power, and he sealed their fate just a few minutes into the second half by heading home brilliantly from Moses Simon’s floated free-kick.
Substitute Frank Onyeka volleyed in an excellent fourth, allowing South Africa to seize top spot and a guaranteed World Cup berth, with Benin dropping from first place to third. Nigeria now await the final ranking of CAF runners-up before finding if they are one of the four teams left battling out for a FIFA Play-off Tournament slot.
South Africa goals: Mbatha (5), Appollis (26), Makgopa (72)
South Africa capitalised upon a Nigerian favour to ensure they will appear on football’s grandest stage for the first time in 16 years.
Thalente Mbatha quickly exploded the decibel levels at Mbombela Stadium, fizzing a shot through Fiacre Ntwari’s hands and into the net.
Evidence Makgopa then took the ball down exquisitely, and Oswin Appollis employed immaculate technique to rifle it home and double the lead.
The pair reversed roles for the third, an Appollis corner headed home by Makgopa. It’s party time in South Africa.
Group E
Morocco goal: En Nesyri (63)
Already-qualified Morocco brought the curtain down on their campaign with a narrow home victory against Group E strugglers Congo in Rabat.
Walid Regragui’s men were heavy favourites going into the game, having scored 21 times in their previous seven qualifiers and Congo having picked up just one point and shipped 23 goals in the same spell.
But the Atlas Lions struggled to find a way past Perrauld Ndinga-Tsatou and his resolute defence until Youssef En Nesyri found space in the box to side-foot home after a fine cross from Achraf Hakimi.
Group F
The Gambia goals: Sidibeh (2 & 46), Manneh (24, 67 & 75), Barrow (47 & 52)
Abdoulie Manneh hit a hat-trick as The Gambia concluded their Group F campaign with a thumping win over the Seychelles.
Along with their opponents, The Gambia had already been eliminated from World Cup qualifying but put on a show in Saint Pierre.
The Scorpions were in front within two minutes through Adama Sidibeh’s precision strike. Manneh rifled them 2-0 ahead, before Sidibe slotted in his second and the electric Musa Barrow scored twice in quick succession. Two simple finishes from Manneh then completed his treble as The Gambia strolled to victory.
Gabon goals: Meyo (86), Lemina (90+1)
Gabon struck late to down Burundi and conclude their group campaign on a winning note in Franceville. It was a tepid first half from the hosts, the only real good look at goal coming from Mick Onfia’s header that was tipped to safety by Jonathan Nahimana.
Denis Bouanga was in the middle of ever Gabon chance and he set up Alan Do Marcolino, only to see the latter whiff right in front of goal. Burundi hung tough and had their best chance of the night through Abedi Bigirimana, whose wide open look sliced away from the target.
Just when it looked like it would end goalless, Bryan Meyo and Mario Lemina scored in the waning minutes to secure full points.
Côte d’Ivoire goals: Kessie (8), Diomende (54), Diallo (85)
Côte d’Ivoire stormed to a World Cup return with a comfortable victory in Ebimpe. Sylvester Owino did superbly to hook an early Ivorian effort off the line, but it only preserved parity momentarily. Amad Diallo cut inside his marker and sent a gorgeous pass into Franck Kessie, who took it in his stride and fired home for Emerson Fae’s men. The excellent Yan Diomende made it two, before Diallo put the result to bed. Les Éléphants will now appear at a fourth global finals in five editions.
Group G
Guinea goals: Traore (18), Balde (34)
Botswana goals: Boy (7), Mohutsiwa (45+1)
Abdoul Traore continued the stunning start to his international career with a spectacular goal that helped Guinea end their qualifying campaign with a battling point.
Following his brace in the 2-1 victory over Mozambique, the 18-year-old forward’s powerful leaping header levelled the scores after Segolame Boy’s early opener for Botswana.
Guinea pushed on and took a deserved lead in the 34th minute thanks to a brilliant individual effort from Aliou Balde after he was played through by Morlaye Sylla.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Botswana levelled the scores as Gape Mohutsiwa found the net at the third time of asking after the home team failed to clear a corner.
Mozambique goal: Geny Catamo (5)
Mozambique finished their qualifying campaign on a positive note after easing to victory against Somalia in Bir El Djir, Algeria.
The visitors wasted no time in pulling ahead, as Geny Catamo calmly slotted home a left-footed shot after Somalia goalkeeper Abdirahman Mohamud had come way off his line.
Somalia’s attempts to score their first qualifying goal since June 2024 were in vain, as the Mozambique defence shut the door on any hopes of an equaliser, earning Chiquinho Conde’s men full points in their qualifying finale.
Algeria goals: Amoura (81 pen, 90+9 pen)
Uganda goal: Mukwala (6)
Mohamed Amoura fired home two dramatic late penalties as already-qualified Algeria came from behind to avoid a shock home defeat at the hands of second-placed Uganda.
Steven Mukwala had put Uganda in front to stun the packed Stade Hocine-Aït-Ahmed in Boukhalfa when he burst between two defenders to fire a low shot beyond debutant goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of France legend Zinedine.
But with time running out Mukwala felled Ramy Bensebaini to allow Amoura to level, before goalkeeper Jamal Salim clattered into Amine Gouiri, with both players forced to leave the field through injury after a lengthy stoppage. Despite the drama and delay, Amoura showed nerves of steel to send substitute Denis Onyango the wrong way from the spot.
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.
