Morocco booked their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 26™ in style with a thumping home victory over Niger. Egypt and South Africa also triumphed to take big steps towards following the Atlas Lions to North America.
On a busy day in CAF qualifying, there were wins for Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo DR, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia and Uganda. Congo and Tanzania, meanwhile, played out a draw.
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.
Group A
Burkina Faso goals: Cyriaque Irie (16), Josue Tiendrebeogo (25), Edmond Tapsoba (36, 43), Dango Outarra (59, 86 pen)
Burkina Faso capitalised on Sierra Leone’s slip-up to strengthen their grip on second place with a comprehensive victory over bottom-placed Djibouti. The home side were forced to play the majority of the game with ten men after captain Yabe Siad received his marching orders for handling a goalward ball on the line in the tenth minute. The resulting penalty was missed by Dango Outarra, however.
Brama Traore’s men quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage — as well as their size and strength — to take the lead in the 16th minute through a powerful strike from Cyriaque Irie, with Josue Tiendrebeogo then finding the net nine minutes later.
Just before the break, Edmond Tapsoba scored two quick goals to pile on the pain. Outarra made up for his earlier penalty miss when he curled in a beautiful curling free-kick just before the hour-mark and then hit a spot-kick in the dying minutes. Burkina Faso, who are now five points clear of the Leone Stars, next face Egypt in a crunch top-of-the-table clash on 9 September.
Egypt goals: Mohamed Salah (41 pen), Omar Marmoush (45+2 pen)
Egypt overcame Ethiopia to take a significant stride towards World Cup 26 qualification. A pair of penalties late in the first half proved decisive in Cairo. The spot-kicks were expertly converted by Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush and put the Pharaohs in full command heading into the interval.
The away team battled hard in the second half but could not find a goal that could have changed the game’s momentum. Egypt are now five points clear at the top of the group and will secure their spot at the global finals if they win away at second-placed Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
Group B
South Sudan goal: Keer Mangar Majak (68)
Congo DR goals: Cedric Bakambu (13, 36), Nathanael Mbuku (45+1), Yoane Wissa (57)
Both Cedrick Bakambu and Yoane Wissa found the scoresheet as Congo DR made light work of South Sudan in Juba. Bakambu lit the touchpaper with a 13th minute tap in, before doubling the lead shortly before the break with a well-taken finish. The game was made all-but safe when Nathanael Mbuku rifled home a screamer after a quick-corner routine.
The other half of the Leopards’ strike force added their fourth soon after the interval, as Wissa raced clear to calmly slot home. Keer Mangar Majak added a consolation for the hosts with just over 20 minutes to go.
Senegal goals: Kalidou Koulibaly (13), Pape Matar Sarr (42)
Senegal kept up the pressure on leaders Congo DR thanks to a clinical victory over Sudan, who are now three points behind in third. The Lions of Teranga’s early pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Sudan goalkeeper Mohamed Alnour failed to connect with a Krepin Diatta free-kick and Kalidou Koulibaly converted the ball into the empty net.
They doubled their lead moments before the break thanks to a brilliant individual goal from Pape Matar Sarr, who expertly controlled a long pass in the box, cut inside and struck the ball into the net with venom.
Senegal, who also hit the crossbar after the break, now face Congo DR in a crunch top-of-the-table clash on 9 September.
Mauritania goals: Papa Ndiaga Yade (13), Aly Abeid (68)
Mauritania impressed and overcame Togo, but the qualification hopes of both teams ended. The Lions of Chinguetti made the breakthrough when Papa Ndiaga Yade outmuscled Kevin Boma and poked the ball home. Sparrowhawks attackers Kevin Denkey and Kodjo Laba caused problems thereafter, but Mauritania defended resolutely and sealed victory with a palatial goal. Defender Aly Abeid, on a rare foray forward, faked the shot, cut inside and unleashed a splendid strike into the bottom corner from outside the box.
Unfortunately for Mauritania and Togo, Congo DR and Senegal both won, leaving them unable to finish in the top two.
Group C
South Africa goals: Mohau Nkota (15), Lyle Foster (63), Oswin Appollis (67)
South Africa took another big step towards World Cup qualification with a convincing victory over Lesotho. Mohau Nkota’s controlled volley from Aubrey Modiba’s cross put them in front after a quarter-of-an-hour. Lyle Foster’s close-range finish extended their advantage midway through the second half, and Oswin Appollis slotted in a third soon after.
With three games to go for both sides, South Africa are in a commanding position at the top of the group, while Lesotho retain a slim chance of qualification.
Benin goal: Steve Mounie (77)
Captain Steve Mounie headed a priceless second-half winner as Benin moved into second place in Group C with a hard-fought victory in neutral Côte d’Ivoire.
With South Africa out in front in Group C and in the process of securing top spot, maximum points were all but essential for these sides to maintain their hopes of finishing in the section’s runners-up spot. Zimbabwe, who are now without a win in 13 World Cup qualifiers, started the brighter in and would have taken the lead in 10 minutes but for a superb reaction save from Marcel Dandjinou to deny Munashe Garanga.
If that stop was good, even better was to follow at the other end as Benin established a foothold as the first period progressed. Andreas Hountondji couldn’t have done any more with a header that was powerful, perfectly placed and seemed destined to fly into the roof of the net. Washington Arubi had other ideas, however, and miraculously clawed the ball away on the goal-line, eliciting gasps around Abidjan’s Stade Olympique d’Ebimpe.
For a long time, it looked like Arubi might end this match as the hero. But there was nothing he could do 13 minutes from time when Mounie met Yohan Roche’s teasing left-footed cross and planted an inch-perfect header inside the left-hand post.
Group E
Congo goal: Dechan Moussavou (68)
Tanzania goal: Selemani Mwalimu (84)
Already-eliminated Congo dealt Tanzania’s qualification hopes a blow in Brazzaville. The visitors had the better of the first half but struggled to create any meaningful chances, with Charles Atipo immovable in the hosts’ backline. The Red Devils took the game to the Taifa Stars after the break and got their reward with a spectacular goal. Dechan Moussavou spun one Tanzanian, burst between another two and, from 30 yards, arrowed the ball into the bottom corner. It was the teenager’s first goal for his country.
Tanzania nevertheless equalised with only their second shot of the game. After a punt forward by goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman Ali was flicked on, substitute Mwalimu stroked the ball home to snatch a share of the spoils.
Morocco goals: Ismael Saibari (29, 38), Ayoub El Kaabi (50), Hamza Igamane (69), Azzedine Ounahi (84)
The Atlas Lions became the first African team to secure their place at the FIFA World Cup 26™ with an impressive and emphatic win over Niger.
With Congo’s 1-1 draw with Tanzania having opened the door to early qualification, a raucous Rabat crowd roared the Moroccans to victory. Their first goal came in 29 minutes after sustained pressure, with Ismael Saibari sliding in to convert Youssef Belammari’s tantalising low cross and lift the roof off the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The same player was in the right place at the right time again nine minutes later, slotting home expertly – this time from a low cross from Achraf Hakimi. Ayoub El Kaabi removed any lingering nerves early in the second half, finishing from another superb Belammari delivery, and further goals from Hamza Igamane and Azzedine Ounahi set up a night of celebrations in the Moroccan capital.
Group F
Kenya goal: Ryan Ogam (81)
The Gambia goals: Sheriff Sinyan (12), Yankuba Minteh (26), Musa Barrow (38)
The Gambia produced a clinical display to sweep aside Kenya in Nairobi. The result means the Kenyans’ chances of qualifying for the World Cup are over, while The Gambia were also eliminated following Côte d’Ivoires win over Burundi later on Friday.
The Gambia went ahead early in the piece when Sheriff Sinyan headed home from Yankuba Minteh’s corner. The outstanding Minteh then got on the scoresheet himself, applying the finishing touch after a fast breakaway. The away team made it three in stunning fashion before half-time, with Musa Barrow rifling a volley past goalkeeper Bryne Odhiambo. Ryan Ogam pulled a goal back for Kenya on 81 minutes but it was too little, too late for the Harambee Stars.
Côte d’Ivoire goal: Vakoun-Issouf Bayo (3)
Côte d’Ivoire reclaimed their place at the top of the group with a narrow victory over Burindi. They are now one point ahead of Gabon, whom they face in a crunch clash on 9 September, a fixture which will go a long way to determine who will secure an automatic World Cup spot.
The home side opened the scoring in just the third minute when Vakoun-Issouf Bayo pounced on an inviting cross from Simon Adringa with a neat close-range header. That proved the only goal for Côte d’Ivoire, who were unable to make their possession count but continued their march to another World Cup appearance.
Group G
Guinea goals: Serhou Guirassy (22), Faisal Abu Bakr own goal (64), Ousmane Camara (90+6)
Serhou Guirassy was on target as Guinea kept their slim World Cup qualification hopes alive with victory over Group G strugglers Somalia. The Borussia Dortmund striker smashed home from close range after Aliou Balde’s corner was bundled into his path by Abdoulaye Toure.
Guirassy thought he had made it 2-0 before the break, but was denied by an offside flag, while Handwalla Bwana’s celebrations for Somalia were cut short after he found the net in the second period, only to discover the referee had already awarded a free-kick to his side on the edge of the box.
The result was effectively sealed when Morlaye Sylla swung in a corner which goalkeeper Abdirahman Mohamud punched against the helpless Faisal Abu Bakr as he attempted to clear, with the ball bouncing into the net. In the closing moments substitutes Alhassane Bangoura and Ousmane Camara combined for the latter to roll home.
Uganda goals: Allan Okello (48), Rogers Mato (70, 84), Nene own goal (90)
Uganda moved ahead of Mozambique on goal difference and into second place in Group G with a thumping victory. The Ugandans were the more progressive team in the first half, with Steven Mukwala forcing a fine save from Ivane Urrubal and Allan Okello firing a free-kick inches wide. Okello would make the breakthrough just after half-time, powering a 25-yard thunderbolt into the top corner. Rogers Mato then curled home a stunning effort before the same player made it three with another emphatic finish. A miserable evening for Mozambique was compounded when Nene scored a late own goal.
Group H
Namibia goal: David Ndeunyema (88)
Malawi goals: Richard Mbulu (5), Gabadinho Mhango (53)
A stunning half-way line goal by Gabadinho Mhango helped Malawi claim a crucial win in Francistown. The visitors hit the front inside five minutes when Richard Mbulu pounced on a defensive mix-up to tap in. Namibia grew into the game and ought to have equalised midway through the half when the ball was squared to Aprocious Petrus, but he skied his effort.
The hosts were made to pay for that miss eight minutes into the second period. Malawi’s Mhango intercepted a slack pass on half-way, took one look up and lofted an audacious effort over the back-pedalling Edward Maova. David Ndeunyema eventually broke Malawi’s resolve when he headed in with two minutes to go, but Callisto Pasuwa’s men held on to move within three points of their second-placed hosts.
What they said…
“It was a match we had prepared well for. We know we have another important match [against DR Congo], so we had to get through this match in front of our home crowd. We won 2-0 against a good Sudanese team, with a clean sheet. That’s a positive thing to take with us to DR Congo. We’re going to do everything we can, whether it’s technical or tactical, physical or athletic, to get the three points. You don’t play a final, you win it.”
Pape Thiaw, Senegal coach
