World Cup
Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal edge closer to booking World Cup berths
An avalanche of goals for the Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal on Friday put both teams on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which they can secure with home success in their last group matches next week.
African champions Cote d’Ivoire beat the Seychelles 7-0 away to stay one point ahead of Gabon in the Group F standings and they will qualify if they win their final game at home to Kenya on Tuesday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored all four goals for Gabon, before being sent off, as they came from behind to beat the Gambia 4-3 in a thrill-a-minute affair in Nairobi that kept alive their hopes.
Senegal maintained their two-point advantage in Group B over the Democratic Republic of Congo as they beat South Sudan 5-0, while the Congolese recorded a 1-0 triumph in Togo. Senegal will qualify for a third successive World Cup if they beat neighbours Mauritania at home on Tuesday.
In Friday’s later matches, Aiyegun Tosin scored late to put Benin two points clear in Group C with a 1-0 victory in Rwanda.
Benin have 17 points while South Africa, who drew 0-0 with neighbours Zimbabwe, sit on 15.
Nigeria moved back into contention with 14 points following a 2-1 away victory over Lesotho with a penalty from captain William Troost-Ekong and a late effort from substitute Akor Adams.
The group will be decided on Tuesday when Benin go away to Nigeria and South Africa host Rwanda.
Ismaila Sarr gave Senegal a 29th-minute lead as Iliman Ndiaye delivered a cross to the back post from the right flank and the Everton winger was also the provider for Sadio Mane to score early in the second half.
Sarr then scored his second goal while Nicolas Jackson and Pape Cherif Ndiaye also found the net.
Cedric Bakambu broke away after an interception in the seventh minute to win the game for DR Congo in Lome, moving them to 19 points, two behind Senegal.
IVORIAN OPENED SCORING WITH GIFT PENALTY
The Ivorians were always expected to run riot against the Seychelles, who are 203rd out of 210 countries in the FIFA rankings, but were handed a gift of a penalty after six minutes, which Ibrahim Sangare converted to get things going.
After that followed goals for Emmanuel Agbadou, Oumar Diakite and Evann Guessand before halftime, and Yan Diomande, Simon Adingra and Franck Kessie after the break.
The 36-year-old Aubameyang kept alive Gabon’s hopes in a remarkable individual performance with two goals in each half before a needless red card late in the game.
He was booked for breaking the corner flag as he kicked it in celebration and then collected a second caution for a petulant shove on an opponent that means he is suspended for their last game at home to Burundi on Tuesday.
Already qualified Tunisia had a 6-0 win over minnows Sao Tome e Principe in Group H with two goals each for Mohamed Ali Ben Romndhane and Elias Saad.
The final round of African group qualifiers start on Sunday and conclude on Tuesday
-Reuters
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Riyad Mahrez ruled out extending his international career into his forties like Cristiano Ronaldo, declaring the 2026 World Cup will be his last after guiding Algeria to a fifth appearance at the tournament.
The 34-year-old winger, who plays for Al-Ahli – the reigning Asian champions – scored once and assisted twice in Algeria’s 3-0 win over Somalia in the penultimate round of African qualifying, securing top spot in Group G and a place at next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“This will be my last World Cup. I’m not Ronaldo (40),” Mahrez told Algerian media.
“I’ll give everything I have to represent Algeria in the best possible way.”
Mahrez, who turns 35 in February, now has 33 goals in 106 international appearances. He praised his teammates, coach, and fans for their support, saying the team “dominated from start to finish” and that the focus now shifts to the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I thank God for this important win,” he said. “I’m happy to have helped with two assists, but the most important thing is that we’ve officially qualified.”
Algeria have now qualified for the World Cup for the fifth time following appearances in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. Their best performance came in 2014 in Brazil, where they reached the round of 16 for the first time before falling to eventual champions Germany in extra time.
-Reuters
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have suffered a major setback ahead of their decisive 2026 World Cup qualifier against Group C leaders Benin Republic on Tuesday in Uyo, as star forward Ademola Lookman will miss the encounter due to suspension.
Lookman, one of Nigeria’s standout performers in the qualifiers so far, picked up a second yellow card of the campaign during Friday’s 2–1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa. The booking automatically rules him out of the must-win tie against Benin.
The incident occurred in the 64th minute when Lookman, after being harshly tackled in midfield by a Lesotho defender, reacted by body-checking his opponent. Chadian referee Alhadi Allaou Mahamat deemed the action as retaliation and promptly issued a yellow card.
It was Lookman’s second caution of the qualifying series, the first coming in the 18th minute of last month’s away match against South Africa. The cumulative bookings have now triggered an automatic one-match suspension.
Lookman’s absence is a huge blow for Nigeria, who must defeat Benin to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The Atalanta forward has been instrumental in recent matches, contributing pace, creativity, and attacking spark to the Super Eagles’ frontline.
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It’s down to the wire in Group C of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers as no clear leader has emerged after a dramatic Match Day 9 on Friday.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa, while Benin Republic maintained their grip on top spot with a crucial 1-0 away win against Rwanda, thus still leading Nigeria by three points.
The margin with South Africa is however reduced to one following Bafana Bafana’s 0-0 duel with Zimbabwe.
The results mean Benin now need just a draw in their final group match against Nigeria on Tuesday to seal their first-ever World Cup qualification.
For Nigeria, the path is narrower: they must beat Benin in Uyo and hope that Rwanda either defeat or hold South Africa to a draw away in Johannesburg to stand a chance of progressing.
Friday’s matches, all played simultaneously, were cagey affairs with all three fixtures goalless at halftime.
The Super Eagles eventually broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when captain William Troost-Ekong confidently converted a penalty.
Eight minutes later, Akor Adams doubled Nigeria’s lead with a smart finish, seemingly putting the game beyond reach.
However, defensive frailties resurfaced late in the game, allowing Hlompho Kalake to capitalize on a mix-up in the Nigerian backline and reduce the deficit for Lesotho in the 83rd minute. Despite late pressure, Nigeria held on for all three points to keep their qualification hopes alive.
In the other Group C fixture, South Africa, who had started the day on top, stumbled with a frustrating goalless draw against Zimbabwe in Durban — a result that further opened the group.
With just one round of matches left, Group C remains delicately poised: Benin lead with 17 points, South Africa follow with 15 and Nigeria trail with 14.
It is now a three-horse race with Benin, South Africa and Nigeria still mathematically in contention.
The final round promises a thrilling climax as three nations jostle for one prized World Cup ticket.
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