World Cup
Mahrez says 2026 World Cup will be his last as Algeria qualify
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 striking options received a fresh boost on Friday as Sevilla forward Akor Jerome Adams marked his senior international debut with a goal, becoming the 61st player to score on his first appearance for Nigeria national team since the country’s debut on 8 October 1949.
Adams, who replaced Tolu Arokodare in the 63rd minute of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, made an instant impact when he found the net in the 80th minute, calmly slotting home after connecting with a precise pass from Victor Osimhen.
The goal capped a memorable night for the 24-year-old La Liga player, who has steadily risen through the football ranks from Nigeria’s grassroots to Europe’s top flight.
Akor Adams was part of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles squad at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, showcasing the promise that has now blossomed on the senior stage.
He began his professional journey with Jamba Football Academy in Nigeria before securing a move to Norwegian club Lillestrøm in December 2021.
His prolific form there earned him a transfer to Montpellier in France two years later, and earlier this year, he sealed a switch to Sevilla in Spain’s La Liga.
With his goal-scoring debut, Adams joins an illustrious list of Nigerian footballers who have announced themselves on the international stage in style—rekindling optimism about the Super Eagles’ attacking depth as the World Cup qualifiers reach a decisive phase.
NIGERIA’S SCORING DEBUTANTS SINCE 1949
Player Match Date Venue Country 1 Balogun Tesilimi Sierra Leone 0-2 Nigeria October 8, 1949 Freetown Sierra Leone 2 Okoh Friday – 2 goals Nigeria 5-0 Gold Coast (Ghana) October 20, 1951 Lagos Nigeria 3 Asoluka Cyril Nigeria 5-0 Gold Coast (Ghana) October 20, 1951 Lagos Nigeria 4 Anieke Peter Nigeria 5-0 Gold Coast (Ghana) October 20, 1951 Lagos Nigeria 5 Okere Titus Nigeria 5-0 Gold Coast (Ghana) October 20, 1951 Lagos Nigeria 6. Okwudili Daniel Nigeria 3-0 Gold Coast October 27, 1956 Lagos Nigeria 7 Longe Julius Nigeria 3-0 Gold Coast October 27, 1956 Lagos Nigeria 8 Ejor Hubert Nigeria 3-0 Gold Coast October 27, 1956 Lagos Nigeria 9. Noquapor Patrick 2 goals Ghana 3-3 Nigeria October 27, 1957 Accra Ghana 10. Ijeoma Patrick Ghana 3-3 Nigeria October 27, 1957 Accra Ghana 11 Buraimoh Abudu – 2 Goals Nigeria 3-2 Ghana October 25, 1958 Lagos Nigeria 12 Onyali Elkana Nigeria 3-1 Ghana October 10, 1959 Lagos Nigeria 13. Ohiri Christopher Nigeria 3-1 Ghana October 10, 1959 Lagos Nigeria 14. Chukwumah Egwuonu Tunisia 2-2 Nigeria December 10, 1961 Tunis Tunisia 15 Egbuonu Johnny Cameroon 1-2 Nigeria January 1 1963 Yaoundé Cameroon 16 Uduemezie Chris Cameroon 1-2 Nigeria January 1 1963 Yaoundé Cameroon 17 Olatunji Lasisi Nigeria 2-2 Guinea July 27, 1963 Lagos Nigeria 18 Anieke Sunday Gabon 2-2 Nigeria August 28, 1965 Libreville Gabon 19. Mordi Bobo Gabon 2-2 Nigeria August 28, 1965 Libreville Gabon 20. Olowo-Oshodi Samsideen Nigeria 3-2 Congo DR November 5, 1966 Lagos Nigeria 21 Aghoghovbia Joe Nigeria 1-1 Cameroon December 7, 1968 Lagos Nigeria 22 Obianika Mathias – 2 Goals Nigeria 4-0 Upper Volta (Burkina Fasso) November 27, 1971 Lagos Nigeria 23 Oyarekhua Sunny Nigeria 4-0 Upper Volta (Burkina Fasso) November 27, 1971 Lagos Nigeria 24 Popoola Ben Nigeria 2-0 Cote d’Ivoire July 18, 1974 Lagos Nigeria 25. Ibeabuchi Ogidi Ghana 1-2 Nigeria August 21, 1974 Accra Ghana 26. Usiyen Thompson Kenya 1-1 Nigeria February 7, 1976 Nairobi Kenya 27. Godwin Iwelumo Nigeria 7-0 Benin February 14, 1977 Lagos Nigeria 28. Onwuachi Martins Benin 1-1 Nigeria October 14, 1978 Cotonou Benin 29. Boateng Leotis Nigeria 2-0 Tunisia July 12, 1980 Lagos Nigeria 30. Emmanuel Osigwe Nigeria 2-0 Tunisia July 12, 1980 Lagos Nigeria 31. Nwokocha Chris v Tanzania 0-2 Nigeria December 20, 1980 Dar-es-Salam Tanzania 32 Ali Bala Nigeria 1-0 Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) July 18, 1981 Lagos Nigeria 33 Adeshina Ademola Ethiopia 0-3 Nigeria March 7, 1982 Benghazi Libya 34 Omughele John v. Ghana Ghana 1-2 Nigeria October 30, 1983 Accra Ghana 35 Sadi Dahiru Nigeria 3-1 Kenya April 20, 1985 Lagos Nigeria 36. Balaraba Abubakar Guinea 1-1Nigeria April 9, 1989 Conakry Guinea 37 Adekola Adeolu v. Nigeria 3-0 Guinea April 22, 1989 Ibadan Nigeria 38 Oyekanmi Taju Nigeria 2-0 Cote d’Ivoire January 25, 1990 Kaduna Nigeria 39 Okechukwu Uche Nigeria 2-0 Cote d’Ivoire January 25, 1990 Kaduna Nigeria 40 Lawal Dimeji Nigeria 3-0 Togo August 18, 1990 Lagos Nigeria 41 Finidi George Nigeria 7-1 Burkina Faso Faso July 27, 1991 Lagos Nigeria 42. Taiwo Wasiu USA 3-2 Nigeria June 11, 1995 Boston USA 43. Fatusi Tesilimi Czech 2-1 Nigeria Dec, 11, 1996 Casablanca Morocco 44. Zeigbo Kenneth Cameroon 0-1 Nigeria August 7, 1997 Tunis Tunisia 45 Garba Ahmed Iran 0-1 Nigeria January 28, 1998 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China 46. Aghahowa, Julius Nigeria 2-0 Morocco February 3, 2000 Lagos Nigeria 47. Ishola Shuaibu Nigeria 3-2 Malawi June 4, 2000 Kano Nigeria 48. Agali Victor Nigeria 1-0 Zambia January 13, 2001 Lagos Nigeria 49. Opabunmi Femi Nigeria 3-0 Kenya May 4, 2002 Lagos Nigeria 50 Ogochukwu Ileagwu Senegal 2-2 Nigeria October 12, 2002 Dakar Senegal 51. Ogechukwu Uche Ghana 0-1 Nigeria December 15, 2002 Accra Ghana 52. Akwueme Emeka Nigeria 2-0 Jordan April 28, 2004 Lagos Nigeria 53. Martins Obafemi Ireland 0-3 Nigeria May 29, 2004 London Britain 54 Makinwa Ayodele South Africa 2-1 Nigeria Nov. 17, 2004 Johannesburg South Africa 55 Akabueze Chukwuma v. Kenya Kenya 0-1 Nigeria May 27, 2007 Nairobi Kenya 56. Peter Utaka v. Congo DR Nigeria 5-2 DR Congo March 3, 2010 Abuja Nigeria 57 Osas Idehen Nigeria 5-2 DR Congo March 3, 2010 Abuja Nigeria 58 Ehiosun Ekigho v. Sierra Leone Nigeria 2-1 Sierra Leone February 9, 2011 Lagos Nigeria 59. Bryan Idowu. Argentina 2-4 Nigeria November 14, 2017 Krasnodar Russia 60 Joseph Aribo v. Ukraine Ukraine 2-2 Nigeria September 10, 2019 Dnipro Ukraine 61 Akor Jerome Adams Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria October 10, 2025 Polokwane South Africa
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By KUNLE SOLAJA.
Hypertensive football fans are advised to be on sedative on Tuesday as the Group C World Cup qualifiers reaches a crescendo. It is not a moment for the faint-hearted.
It is a battle on two fields and all three combatants having just one dream.
Mathematics, momentum and madness, perhaps best describe the three-way battle that defines Africa’s toughest World Cup qualifying group.
The battle for the Group C ticket has been thrown wide open, with Benin Republic, South Africa, and Nigeria all heading into Tuesday’s final round of matches still in contention.
Friday’s dramatic results ensured that the group—already touted as one of Africa’s toughest—will go right down to the wire.
Benin Republic now lead the standings with a slender two-point cushion following a remarkable late surge in form, capped by a crucial 1–0 away win over Rwanda in Kigali.
That victory not only put the Cheetahs in control of the group but also pushed Rwanda out of mathematical contention for a World Cup place.
In Durban, however, South Africa faltered when it mattered most. Bafana Bafana were held to a goalless draw by a spirited Zimbabwe side in a match that could have sealed their qualification.
The stalemate left South Africa in second place, two points behind Benin, and needing both a win in their final fixture and a favourable result elsewhere to reach the World Cup for the first time since hosting it in 2010.
Nigeria, meanwhile, reignited their fading hopes with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane.
The Super Eagles, who have endured a turbulent qualifying campaign, now sit third in the group and face the most complex route to qualification.
Mathematics of the Final Day
The permutations are delicately poised heading into Tuesday’s decisive fixtures:
- Benin Republic (17 points) have the clearest path—they need only to beat Nigeria to secure a historic first-ever World Cup appearance. A win guarantees them an unassailable 20 points, regardless of results elsewhere.
- South Africa (15 points) must defeat Rwanda in Johannesburg and hope Nigeria beat Benin. A draw in the Benin–Nigeria clash would end their hopes.
- Nigeria (14 points) must not only beat Benin in Uyo, but do so by at least a two-goal margin to overcome the Cheetahs’ superior points and goal-difference advantage. They will also need Rwanda to hold or defeat South Africa to stand any realistic chance of finishing top.
A Group of Fine Margins
Group C has proven to be a cauldron of unpredictability. Every point has come at a premium, with unexpected upsets and narrow scorelines defining the campaign.
Benin, once underdogs, have emerged as the surprise package, while traditional powerhouse Nigeria have struggled for consistency and cutting edge.
South Africa, too, have mixed moments of brilliance with bouts of frustration—symbolised by their failure to break down Zimbabwe at home.
The Stakes and the Sentiment
For Benin, Tuesday could be the most important football day in the nation’s history. For South Africa, it is a chance to return to the world stage after 16 years in the wilderness.
And for Nigeria, a footballing giant now on the brink, it is a test of resilience, pride, and calculation.
As the nine African qualifying groups reach their climax, none promises more drama than Group C—a group where one slip, one goal, or even one missed chance could determine who marches to the world’s biggest football stage and who watches from home.
Current Table Ahead Tuesday’s Showdown
Position Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts 1 Benin 9 5 2 2 12 7 +5 17 2 South Africa 9 4 3 2 12 9 +3 15 3 Nigeria 9 3 5 1 11 8 +3 14 4 Rwanda 9 3 2 4 5 6 -1 11 5 Lesotho 9 2 3 4 8 12 -4 9 6 Zimbabwe 8 0 5 4 5 11 -6 5
FINAL DAY FIXTURES
(Monday, October 13)
- Lesotho v Zimbabwe
(Tuesday, October 15)
- South Africa vs Rwanda
- Nigeria vs Benin
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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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