Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane was the hero for Tunisia, coming off the bench to score a last-gasp winner against Equatorial Guinea and clinch his team a FIFA World Cup 26™ spot.
Elsewhere, Libya, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Uganda and Madagascar bagged crucial wins to keep their respective hopes alive. Already-qualified Morocco also defeated Zambia to maintain their perfect record, while Algeria and Ghana moved closer to joining them after a draw with Guinea and victory over Mali, respectively. Malawi and Liberia, meanwhile, played out an entertaining draw in Lilongwe.
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
Guinea-Bissau goals: Iano Simao (54), Fali Cande (82)
Guinea-Bissau were made to work hard to defeat an already-eliminated Djibouti to keep their qualification hopes alive. After a cagey opening 45, it took the hosts less than ten minutes of the second period to open the scoring. Captain Mama Balde’s cross appeared to evade everyone, until left-back Iano Simao rushed on to it and thumped home a tremendous first-time effort. Emiliano Te’s first victory as boss was confirmed in the 82nd minute, as Fali Cande flicked in a Mamadi Camara corner. That victory leaves Guinea-Bissau in third and four points behind Burkina Faso, who play table-topping Egypt tomorrow.
Group D
Libya goals: Muad Eisay (8), Ezzeddin El Maremi (19)
Two first-half goals saw Libya push aside Eswatini and move to within two points of pool leaders Cabo Verde. Muad Eisay opened the scoring when he found space in a crowded box to lash in after some penalty-box pinball in the eighth minute. It was two soon after, as a pinpoint Fadel Mansour cross met the head of Ezzeddin El Maremi to nod home. The Mediterranean Knights controlled the game from there to secure the victory.
Group E
Morocco goals: Youssef En Nesyri (7), Hamza Igamane (47)
Youssef En Nesyri and Hamza Igamane were on target as already-qualified Morocco saw off Zambia, who remain third in Group E. The Atlas Lions capitalised on some lapse defending to open the scoring. Zambia’s Miguel Chaiwa was caught in possession by Bilal El Khannouss, who instantly set up En Nesyri to fire Morocco ahead.
Zambia fought hard to get back into the game and Patson Daka’s header forced a superb save from Yassine Bounou. The home team were dealt a hammer blow shortly after half-time, however, when Igamane made it 2-0 with a stunning long-range effort. Zambia continued to battle tirelessly but could not find a way past Bounou, as Morocco kept up their 100-per-cent record.
Group G
Mozambique goals: Witi (6), Faisal Bangal (71)
Mozambique kept up their challenge for World Cup qualification a routine win over Botswana. The Mambas took the lead in the sixth minute, as Stanley Ratifo’s low cross was tapped in at the far post by Witi. The hosts eventually doubled their lead with just under 20 minutes to go, as substitutes Pepo Santos and Faisal Bangal combined, with the latter slotting home. Mozambique move on to 15 points, with Botswana six further back in fifth.
Uganda goals: Allan Okello (7 pen), Jude Ssemugabi (39)
Uganda moved up to second in Group G after a comfortable home win over Somalia. The Cranes hit the front early on from the penalty spot, Allan Okello converting after Aziz Kayondo was felled by Abdulle Abdullahi in the box.
They extended their advantage before half-time when Jude Ssemugabi lashed in from close range. Ssemugabi came agonisingly close to netting again after the break, but his first-time effort went fractions over the bar. Uganda continued to control the game and saw out the victory with ease.
Algeria moved on to the cusp of qualification as a goalless draw in Casablanca left Guinea with a mountain to climb. Vladimir Petkovic’s Fennecs had the game’s first big chance. Riyad Mahrez sent Mohamed Amoura racing through on goal, but his shot was incredibly saved by the outstretched leg of Moussa Camara.
Guinea were let wondering how they hadn’t broken the deadlock after the break. Serhou Guirassy slid the ball behind the back of the defence for Aliou Balde, who rounded goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz. His effort was seemingly sailing into the unguarded net, only for Youcef Attal to sprint back and somehow head it clear. Guinea had the better of the latter stages, but they struggled to conjure up any meaningful chances and required interventions from Seydouba Cisse and Mory Konate to prevent Algeria nabbing a winner.
Group H
Tunisia goal: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (90+4)
Tunisia booked their place at World Cup 26 as they produced a last-gasp smash-and-grab victory against Equatorial Guinea in Malabo to secure top spot in Group H with two games to spare.
With a tense match into the fourth minute of added time, Firas Chaouat burst clear on the right flank and crossed for fellow substitute Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane to roll home and spark scenes of jubilation among Sami Trabelsi’s side.
The Carthage Eagles were indebted to goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen for keeping their astonishing record of not conceding in qualifying intact as he produced a superb diving stop to keep out Saul Coco’s vicious 70th-minute free-kick, and then an even more impressive point-blank stop from Emilio Nsue’s close-range strike 10 minutes later.
Malawi goals: Gabadinho Mhango (72), Chawanangwa Kawonga (80)
Liberia goals: Ayouba Kosiah (3 & 61)
Malawi fought back from a two-goal deficit to secure a dramatic draw thanks to an inspirational performance from captain Gabadinho Mhango. The outcome does little for either side’s hopes of a play-off spot, however, with Tunisia having secured top place in the group.
The home side dominated possession but found themselves 2-0 down following a brilliant brace from Ayouba Kosiah, first a spectacular overhead kick in the third minute and then a close-range header midway through the second half. But Mhango willed his side back in the game when he scored a powerful header in the 72nd minute and then set up substitute Chawanangwa Kawonga who levelled the scores in fine fashion with ten minutes remaining.
Group I
Madagascar goals: Warren Caddy (52), Rayan Raveloson (69), Hakim Abdallah (90+3)
Chad goal: Yves Allarabaye (25)
Madagascar moved up to second place in Group I with a comeback victory over already-eliminated Chad. Chad took a shock lead midway through the first half. Franck Tchaouna maneuvered his way into space before teeing up Yves Allarabaye, who finished emphatically.
Warren Caddy equalised for the home side shortly after half-time. After a Madagascar corner was cleared, Caddy alighted on the loose ball at the edge of the box and powered a sweet strike into the top corner. Rayan Raveloson then headed Madagascar in front, before a stoppage-time Hakim Abdallah strike made the points safe.
Ghana goal: Alexander Djiku (49)
Ghana regained their three-point advantage at the top of the group with a narrow home victory against Mali in Accra. There was little to do for both goalkeepers during the first 45, with the best look at goal coming shortly before intermission when an Antoine Semenyo shot off a Mohammed Kudus cross squirted wide of the Malian net.
The hosts got their precious goal after the restart in a rather unconventional way. An intended cross from Caleb Yirenkyi turned into a shot that Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra had to scramble to tip over the crossbar. The subsequent corner kick then saw Diarra whiff on his attempted punch-out, allowing the tumbling Alexander Djiku to stab home the lone goal of the contest.
