CAF world cup qualifier: South Africa, Cameroon, Algeria shine as Nigeria stumble

A dramatic round of CAF qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup saw South Africa extend their lead in Group C, while Cameroon and Algeria made major statements with crucial victories.

Nigeria, however, suffered a major setback after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer to Zimbabwe.

South Sudan delivered one of the night’s biggest shocks with a stunning 98th-minute equalizer against Sudan, while Egypt tightened their grip on Group A with a narrow win over Sierra Leone.

According to fifa.com, elsewhere, Morocco, DR Congo, and Senegal all secured clean-sheet victories to strengthen their positions.

Key Results by Group

Group A

Egypt 1-0 Sierra Leone
Egypt goal: Zizo (45+3)

Egypt moved five points clear at the top of Group A after breaking down a resilient Sierra Leone defense. Mohamed Salah was denied by a brilliant save, but Zizo finally broke the deadlock with a clinical finish just before halftime. Despite dominating possession in the second half, Egypt couldn’t add to their tally but remain firmly in control of the group.

Read more: Africa’s road to 2026 World Cup: What we know so far; Matchday 5 results, fixtures

Group B

Sudan 1-1 South Sudan
Sudan goal: Mohamed Eisa (76) | South Sudan goal: Omot Okuer (90+8)

South Sudan stunned neighbors Sudan with a last-gasp equalizer in Libya. Mohamed Eisa’s strike had Sudan on course for victory, but Omot Okuer produced a brilliant scissor-kick finish with just seconds left, securing a dramatic draw.

Senegal 2-0 Togo
Senegal goals: Pape Matar Sarr (35), Kevin Boma (own goal, 67)

Senegal climbed to second place with a hard-fought win over Togo. Pape Matar Sarr opened the scoring before Lamine Camara’s teasing free-kick led to an own goal, sealing the points for the Lions of Teranga.

Mauritania 0-2 DR Congo
Congo DR goals: Charles Pickel (4), Fiston Mayele (83)

DR Congo went top of the group after a dominant away win. Charles Pickel fired the Leopards ahead early, while Fiston Mayele sealed the victory late on. Mauritania remain bottom with just two points.

Group C

Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe
Nigeria goal: Victor Osimhen (74) | Zimbabwe goal: Tawanda Chirewa (90)

Nigeria suffered a significant blow after Zimbabwe snatched a stoppage-time equalizer. Victor Osimhen’s header looked to have secured the points, but Zimbabwe fought back, with Tawanda Chirewa scoring in the dying moments.

Benin 0-2 South Africa
South Africa goals: Lyle Foster (53), Jayden Adams (84)

South Africa tightened their grip on Group C with a crucial win over Benin. Lyle Foster’s close-range finish put Bafana Bafana ahead, and substitute Jayden Adams sealed the victory with a precise header late on.

Group D

Angola 1-2 Cabo Verde
Angola goal: Gelson Dala (50) | Cabo Verde goals: Dailon Rocha Livramento (45+2, 63)

Cabo Verde remained top of Group D after Dailon Rocha Livramento’s brace secured a vital win over Angola. His clinical first-half strike was canceled out by Gelson Dala, but he struck again to keep his side in pole position.

Cameroon 3-1 Libya
Cameroon goals: Vincent Aboubakar (pen 26, 61), Bryan Mbuemo (53) | Libya goal: Ezoo El Mariamy (89)

Vincent Aboubakar netted twice as Cameroon moved within a point of Cabo Verde. The Indomitable Lions dominated from the start, with Aboubakar’s penalty opening the scoring. Bryan Mbuemo doubled the lead before Aboubakar added his second, surpassing Roger Milla on Cameroon’s all-time scorers list.

Group E

Morocco 2-0 Tanzania
Morocco goals: Nayef Aguerd (51), Brahim Diaz (pen 58)

Morocco took a commanding lead in Group E, moving nine points clear with a comfortable win over Tanzania. Nayef Aguerd broke the deadlock early in the second half before Brahim Diaz converted a penalty to seal the win.

Group F

Burundi 5-0 Seychelles
Burundi goals: Christophe Nduwarugira (22), Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana (24, 31), Bienvenue Kanakimana (50), Jean-Claude Girumugisha (56)

Burundi ran riot in Meknes, thrashing Seychelles to move into third place. Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana bagged a first-half brace, while Bienvenue Kanakimana and Jean-Claude Girumugisha added to Seychelles’ misery.

Group G

Algeria 5-1 Mozambique
Algeria goals: Mohamed Amoura (8, 31, 80), Aissa Mandi (24), Jaouen Hadjam (64) | Mozambique goal: Geny Catamo (40)

Mohamed Amoura starred with a hat-trick as Algeria crushed Mozambique to take control of Group G. Aissa Mandi and Jaouen Hadjam also found the net in a dominant performance.

Group I

Comoros 1-0 Chad
Comoros goal: Rafiki Said Ahumada (24)

Comoros climbed to second in their group with a solid win over Chad, courtesy of Rafiki Said Ahumada’s first-half goal.

Standout Performances:

Mohamed Amoura (Algeria) – Hat-trick hero in a commanding win over Mozambique.

Dailon Rocha Livramento (Cabo Verde) – Match-winning brace against Angola.

Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) – Two goals to lead Cameroon past Libya.

Omot Okuer (South Sudan) – Spectacular 98th-minute equalizer against Sudan.

Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe) – Late equalizer to deny Nigeria a crucial win.

With more twists and turns ahead, the CAF World Cup qualifiers remain fiercely contested as teams push for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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