Africa’s World Cup qualifying race intensified on Friday with 14 matches across the continent producing pivotal results in the battle for places in North America 2026.
In Cairo, Egypt tightened their grip on Group A with a 2-0 win over Ethiopia. Mohamed Salah buried his seventh goal of the campaign from the penalty spot before Omar Marmoush added another from 12 yards to seal victory.
Burkina Faso stayed in touch with a 6-0 demolition of Djibouti, featuring doubles from Dango Ouattara and Edmond Tapsoba, but remain five points adrift of the Pharaohs.
African champions Ivory Coast returned to the summit of Group F after a 1-0 win over Burundi in Abidjan, Vakoun Bayo striking inside three minutes. They now lead Gabon by a point ahead of a crucial clash in Libreville on Tuesday.
The tightest battle comes in Group B, where only a single point separates leaders DR Congo and Senegal. Cedric Bakambu’s brace and Yoane Wissa’s effort secured a 4-1 win for the Congolese in South Sudan, while Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr netted in Senegal’s 2-0 victory over Sudan.
The two giants now collide in Kinshasa on Tuesday.South Africa held firm in Group C, cruising past Lesotho 3-0 with Burnley’s Lyle Foster on the scoresheet. Benin stayed five points back with a narrow 1-0 win over Zimbabwe thanks to Steve Mounie.
Nigeria, still in contention, face a must-win home clash with Rwanda on Saturday before travelling to South Africa.
Elsewhere, Algeria’s hopes soared after second-placed Mozambique suffered a 4-0 hammering in Uganda, while Tunisia are within touching distance of qualification after Namibia’s defeat to Malawi in Group H. A win away to Equatorial Guinea on Monday would seal their spot.
The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, while the four best runners-up advance to a playoff in November.
