Category: African News

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Egypt one win away to reach 2026 World Cup after stalemate in Ouagadougou
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt close in on 2026 World Cup after stalemate in Ouagadougou

Egypt's will have to wait for a place in next World Cup after they played to a goalless draw against Burkina Faso on Tuesday in Ouagadougou during the eighth round of the African qualifiers. (Photo Credit Pouire service photographie)

Now, Egypt will face Djibouti on October 6, hoping to secure its spot in the World Cup. Currently, Egypt leads Group A with 20 points, which is five points ahead of second-placed Burkina Faso.

They need just one point from their next two games to secure a spot in the tournament. Coach Hossam Hassan used a different strategy by setting up a strong defence with five defenders.

Egypt started the game defensively, managing Burkina Faso’s early pressure. Despite the noisy crowd, Egypt defended well and posed a threat on counter-attacks, using the speed of Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan.

The match started with Trezeguet’s long-range shot missing the target six minutes in. Egypt faced a setback when Omar Marmoush was injured, replaced by Osama Faisal.

Burkina Faso threatened with a free kick after twenty minutes, but Egypt’s defence held strong, and Toure shot over the bar from the rebound. Trezeguet’s powerful shot was saved by Koffi, leaving the first half goalless.

In the second half, Egypt played cautiously, allowing Burkina Faso to control possession. Mohamed Salah assisted Trezeguet, but Koffi saved again. Salah had a goal disallowed for offside in the 67th minute.

Dango Ouattara missed a header late in the game, and Coach Hassan made substitutions with five minutes left. Mostafa Mohamed had two chances to score but couldn’t convert.

Ghana Black Stars close in on 2026 World Cup spot after win over Mali
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana Black Stars close in on 2026 World Cup spot after win over Mali

Ghana moved closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by beating Mali 1-0 at home.

Alexander Djiku scored the only goal in the 49th minute after Mali’s goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, could not catch a corner from Jordan Ayew.

Mali needed a win to keep their chances of automatic qualification alive. They controlled the game for the last half hour but could not break through Ghana’s strong defence.

With this victory, Ghana now has 19 points and a three-point lead at the top of Group I with two more matches to play next month.

Otto Addo’s team will play away against the Central African Republic and then host Comoros. A single win in these matches could secure their place in the World Cup for the second time in a row.

In the African qualifying, only the nine group winners are guaranteed a spot in the tournament next year, but the four best-ranked teams can enter the playoffs.

The top-seeded Mali have yet to compete in the World Cup finals and can no longer finish at the top of the group.

Mali are currently in fourth position in the standings, four points behind Madagascar, who are in second place after coming back to defeat Chad 3-1 earlier on Monday.

Uganda keep tabs on Algeria in Group G race for top spot
by Football Sierra Leone

Uganda keep tabs on Algeria in Group G race for top spot

Uganda kept their hopes alive following matchday eight of Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Group G as Algeria settled for a draw against Guinea.

Malawi staged a strong comeback against Liberia, Madagascar triumphed over Chad, and Guinea-Bissau found new optimism with their victory against Djibouti.

In the match between Uganda and Somalia, Uganda emerged victorious with a score of 2–0. Scorers: Allan Okello (6 pen), Jude Ssemugabi (39) – responding to Mozambique’s earlier win, Uganda clinched a crucial victory in Kira Town.

Allan Okello netted a penalty just six minutes into the game, and Jude Ssemugabi followed up with another goal before the halftime whistle. This win places Uganda level on points with Mozambique in second place in Group G, trailing only leaders Algeria – a team they will face in a pivotal match next month.

Guinea 0–0 Algeria

Algeria’s usually strong offence struggled in Casablanca. They did not score in a World Cup qualifier for the first time in 37 matches. Guinea’s goalkeeper, Alexis Guendouz, performed well, while Mohamed Amoura missed Algeria’s best chance. Djamel Belmadi’s team remains at the top of Group G with 19 points, but needs to wait until October to secure qualification.

Malawi 2–2 Liberia

Scorers: Gabadinho Mhango (72), Chawanangwa Kawonga (80) for Malawi; Ayouba Kosiah (4, 61) for Liberia  

Ayouba Kosiah scored twice for Liberia, including a bicycle kick in the fourth minute, putting them ahead. However, Malawi fought back. Gabadinho Mhango reduced the gap before Chawanangwa Kawonga equalised eight minutes later, earning a point for Malawi in a thrilling match.

Madagascar 3–1 Chad

Scorers: Warren Caddy (51), Rayan Raveloson (68), Hakim Abdallah (90+3) for Madagascar; Yves Allarabaye (24) for Chad  

Chad took the lead with a goal from Yves Allarabaye. However, Madagascar rallied after halftime. Warren Caddy equalised, Rayan Raveloson put them ahead, and Hakim Abdallah scored in stoppage time to secure the win. This victory places Madagascar at the top of their group alongside Ghana with three games left to play.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia book 2026 World Cup ticket
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia book 2026 World Cup ticket

North African nation, Tunisia, has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a late 1-0 win against Equatorial Guinea.

Tunisia has secured its spot in the World Cup for the seventh time, achieving this with a last-minute goal from Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane. They are the second African team to qualify, following Morocco, who won 2-0 in Zambia.

They sit at 22 points from eight matches and cannot be caught by Namibia, which has 12 points. Notably, Tunisia has not conceded any goals during qualifying, boasting a goal difference of 13:0.

Equatorial Guinea managed to hold off Tunisia for most of the match, using late set pieces that forced Tunisia to defend.

Aymen Dahmen received a yellow card for time-wasting but played well behind a solid defence led by Montassar Talbi and Dylan Bronn.

Equatorial Guinea has 10 points from eight matches and, along with Liberia and Malawi, needs a strong finish to keep its qualification hopes alive. São Tomé and Príncipe are at the bottom of the group with no points.

In Group E, Morocco secured a 2-0 win over Zambia, with goals from Youssef En-Nesyri and Hamza Igamane. Morocco leads the group with 21 points, having scored 21 goals and conceded only 2. Tanzania holds 10 points, while Zambia and Niger have 6 points, and Congo has just 1 point.

In Group G, Mozambique’s 2-0 victory against Botswana keeps their hopes alive, bringing them to 15 points. They are three points behind leaders Algeria and ahead of Uganda. Witi and Feliciano “Bangal” Jone scored for Mozambique, while Botswana has 9 points and Guinea sits at 10 points.

With two international windows left, nine CAF group winners will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, and the four best runners-up will enter a playoff. Morocco and Tunisia lead the way as most teams have three matches remaining.

Wan-Bissaka makes DR Congo debut in World Cup qualifying win over South Sudan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Wan-Bissaka makes DR Congo debut in World Cup qualifying win over South Sudan

West Ham United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka made his international debut for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) during their victory over South Sudan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.

With a real chance, this win propelled the Leopards to 16 points, leaving them a point clear of both Senegal on 15 and four of Sudan, thereby keeping qualification in their own hands.

Match Result: South Sudan 1 – 4 DR Congo (Group B)

DR Congo delivered a commanding away performance, solidifying their lead in Group B. Cédric Bakambu set the tone with two goals, netting the first in the 13th minute from a cross by Arthur Masuaku Kayembe and scoring again in the 36th minute, putting the Leopards firmly in control.

Nathanaël Mbuku added a third goal in first-half stoppage time (45+1’) with a pass from Yoane Wissa. Wissa then scored himself with a low finish in the 57th minute before Kuol Majak pulled one back for South Sudan in the 68th minute.

DR Congo managed the closing stages of the match comfortably, rotating their forward line to conserve energy for their upcoming fixtures.

Born in Croydon, Wan-Bissaka initially played for DR Congo at the U20 level before switching to England for U20 and U21 teams, including participation in the 2019 UEFA European U21 Championship.

He has now opted for a senior career with DR Congo, who aim to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time since 1974.

DR Congo will face Senegal on Tuesday as El Hadji Malick Diouf’s side will look to overtake DRC in crucial CAF Group B qualifiers in early September.