The just-concluded international break was a busy one on the continent, as teams played a pair of games and jostled for points necessary to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup. The CAF World Cup qualifiers supplied many interesting talking points; here is a recap of the major moments that went down.
GROUP A
EGYPT VS SIERRA LEONE
The Pharaohs of Egypt played host to The Stars of Sierra Leone in their Group A World Cup Qualification fixture at the Cairo International Stadium, aiming to secure the three points at home.
Ahmed Sayed opened the scoring for the Egyptians in the second minute of additional time in the first half, turning in Trezeguet’s pass to cap off a well-worked team move. His goal would turn out to be the difference between both sides at the end of the ninety minutes. The Egyptians continued their memorable qualifying campaign that has now seen them claim five wins and one draw in six fixtures. They are five points clear of second-placed Burkina Faso. Sierra Leone remains in third place with eight points.
GROUP B
CONGO VS MAURITANIA
DR Congo outclassed Mauritania in their Group B Qualification fixture away from home at Stade Municipal de Nouadhibou. Charles Pickel’s early opener and second-half substitute Fiston Mayele’s late goal helped the Leopards to the three points. Qualification spots are still wide open in the group as group leaders DR Congo are separated from second-placed Senegal and third-placed Sudan by a single point. Barring a miracle, Togo, South Sudan, and Mauritania can be effectively ruled out of the World Cup finals.
SENEGAL VS TOGO
The Teranga Lions of Senegal played host to the Sparrowhawks of Togo at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade, aiming to get back to winning ways after their draw against Sudan in their last match.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr opened the scoring for the hosts in the 35th minute. Intercepting a pass in Togo’s half, Sarr’s interception fell to Habib Diallo, and the latter put his silky footwork on full display before laying off the ball to Sarr for a simple finish. Togolese centre-back Kévin Boma doubled the lead for Senegal in the 67th minute with an unfortunate own goal, ruling out any hopes of a comeback for his side. Togo remain without a win in Group B.
SUDAN VS SOUTH SUDAN
There was nothing to separate Sudan and South Sudan. Second-half goals by Mohamed Eisa and David Sebit meant the spoils were shared by both sides at the full-time whistle. Sudan has now fallen to third following consecutive draws against Senegal and South Sudan.
GROUP C
NIGERIA VS ZIMBABWE
In a confident mood following their victory against Rwanda, The Super Eagles aimed to secure the three points as they welcomed The Warriors of Zimbabwe to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. The Eagles started the match brightly but were repeatedly kept out by the Zimbabwean defence in the opening half, and the half finished goalless.
In search of inspiration in the second half, they turned to talismanic striker Victor Osimhen, and he provided the goalscoring touch. Following a well-worked team move, Osimhen was on hand to turn Ola Aina’s inviting cross into the net at the far post in the 78th minute. The visitors eventually found a lifeline late on to shatter the hearts of Nigerians. Tawanda Chirewa danced past William Troost-Ekong in the box to net an equalizer past Stanley Nwabali for The Zimbabwean Warriors. There was nothing to separate both sides at the full-time whistle.
Following their matchday six draw against Zimbabwe, the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes are hanging by a thin thread. They remain in fourth position, six points behind group leaders South Africa, and have their work cut out for them if they aim to secure a spot at the World Cup Finals.
GROUP D
CAMEROON VS LIBYA
Cameroon played host to Libya at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in their Group D World Cup Qualification fixture, aiming to get back to winning ways following two consecutive draws in their previous group stage fixtures.
They got off to a much-desired start as Vincent Aboubakar netted a 27th-minute penalty to open the scoring after he was brought down in the box. His penalty goal was the difference between both sides at the break. In-form Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo doubled their lead in the 53rd minute. Receiving a perfectly weighted pass from Carlos Baleba on the right wing, he cut in on to his left foot and unleashed a shot into the far corner. Aboubakar was at it again eight minutes later.
Goalscorer turned provider as Mbeumo teed Aboubakar up for his brace, the latter turning in Mbeumo’s cutback to extend their lead. Libyan Striker Ezzedine Maremi netted a consolation goal for the Libyans in the first minute of additional time.
The win allowed Cameroon to move four points clear of third-placed Libya and one point behind group leaders Cape Verde.
ANGOLA VS CAPE VERDE
Things unfolded differently in the other Group D World Cup Qualification fixture as fourth placed Angola played host to group leaders Cape Verde at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Angola.
The visitors opened the scoring through 22nd-minute substitute Dailon Livramento in the closing minutes of the first half, as Livramento capped off a quick counterattack in clinical fashion to score his maiden international goal for the Cape Verdeans. Gelson Dala grabbed an equalizer for the hosts five minutes into the second half.
However, it didn’t take long for the visitors to retake the lead as Hellas Verona forward Livramento restored parity for the visitors in the 63rd minute. Wagner Pina capitalized on a momentary lapse in concentration by an Angolan player to win the ball and release a pass into Livramento’s path, and the striker did justice to the pass. They held on ultimately for the three points.
GROUP E
MOROCCO VS TANZANIA
Group E leaders Morocco continued their stellar qualifying campaign with a two-nil over Tanzania at the Stade Municipal.
Two second-half goals by Real Sociedad Defender Nayef Aguerd and Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz were enough to help them see off the Taifa Stars. In the 51st minute, Aguerd reacted quickly to turn a rebound from a saved header into the net to open the scoring for the Moroccans. Seven minutes later, Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty after the Tanzanians were penalized for a handball in the box, and he dispatched it into the net.
Save for a monumental collapse, qualification is all but guaranteed for the Moroccans at this point, owing to their nine point gap over second placed Niger who have a game in hand.
GROUP F
BURUNDI VS SEYCHELLES
It was an absolute rout as Burundi devastatingly destroyed Seychelles in the Group F World Cup Qualification fixture at the Stade d’Honneur in Morocco.
They opened the scoring through Christophe Nduwarugira in the 22nd minute, as he nodded Marco Weyman’s freekick into the net. They doubled their lead two minutes later through Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana, as he turned in Girumugisha’s pass from close range following a dazzling run by the winger down the left wing.
Provider turned goalscorer in the 31st minute as Jean Claude Girumugisha got in on the act, turning in Jordi Liongola’s cross with a simple touch. 30th-minute substitute Bienvenue Kanakimana netted their fourth goal five minutes into the second half, turning in the rebound from a saved cross. Girumugisha completed his brace in the 56th minute, benefiting from a massive howler from the Seychelles goalie. A clinical showing from the Burundians! Burundi remains in third place while Seychelles remains sixth and without a point in Group F.
GROUP G
ALGERIA VS MOZAMBIQUE
Mohamed Amoura was the star of the show as Algeria decimated Mozambique at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Kabylia.
Amoura opened the scoring eight minutes into the match, reacting quickly to turn Riyad Mahrez’s flicked pass into the net, and Aissa Mandi doubled their lead with a well-placed header in the 24th minute. The Wolfsburg striker was at it again six minutes later, netting his second to extend their lead further. Following some fine work by Mahrez, he teased a beautiful pass forward, and Amoura slid in to guide the ball into the net. The visitors pulled one back through Geny Catamo’s unstoppable effort in the 40th minute, as the hosts took a 3-1 lead into the break.
Jaouen Hadjam restored Algeria’s three-goal cushion in the 65th minute, guiding Amoura’s cross into the net with a simple header. Amoura completed his hat trick fifteen minutes later. Following a commotion in the box, the ball fell kindly to him, and he powered it into the back of the net, his shot taking a deflection on the way in. He was substituted for Ibrahim Maza in the 84th minute following his Man of the Match Performance.
It was an unforgettable night for the Algerians, who extended their lead at the top of the table over second-placed Mozambique to three points.
UGANDA VS GUINEA
Uganda hosted Guinea at the Mandela National Stadium, aiming to bounce back from consecutive losses to Mozambique and Algeria. Both sides had clear-cut chances to grab the lead but were denied by superb goalkeeping in the opening twenty minutes of the game. The hosts weren’t to be denied for long as Uganda grabbed the lead through Allan Okello’s unstoppable curling free kick from about 30 yards out.
Okello’s 36th-minute goal was the difference between both sides at the full-time whistle. Uganda swapped places with Guinea and moved up to 4th position on the group table.
BOTSWANA VS SOMALIA
Botswana played host to Somalia in their Group F World Cup Qualification fixture at the Francistown Stadium in Botswana, aiming to get back to winning ways following their loss to Algeria.
Chances were few and far between in the first half, and the half remained goalless at the break. The hosts found some inspiration and opened the scoring through Gape Mohutsiwa in the 74th minute, who made a late run into the box to turn in Tshepo Keselebale’s cross. Mothusi Johnson doubled the lead in the 83rd minute, curling his corner kick directly into the net to secure the three points for the hosts. A goal from his wildest imagination! Botswana remains third behind Algeria and Mozambique.
GROUP I
COMOROS VS CHAD
Rafiki Said’s goal was the difference between Comoros and Chad in their Group I qualification fixture. Comoros played host to bottom-placed Chad at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco, aiming to secure the three points to keep their qualification hopes alive.
A clearance fell to Said in Chad’s half. Skipping past one challenge, he unleashed the shot into the net. A stunning effort! Comoros were the dominant side throughout the match. However, their dominance failed to result in another goal for them despite the numerous goal scoring chances they had. Comoros are second on the table with twelve points, three behind group leaders Ghana. Chad remain winless.
