AFCON 2025
The race for places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensified across Africa on Monday, with Tunisia and Morocco booking their tickets to the United States while several continental heavyweights secured crucial results.
In Monastir, Tunisia sealed qualification in dramatic fashion. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane’s stoppage-time strike handed the Carthage Eagles a 1–0 win over Equatorial Guinea, sparking wild celebrations as Jalel Kadri’s side became one of the first African nations to guarantee their spot at the finals.
Morocco, already assured of their place, underlined their dominance in Group E with a 2–0 victory over Zambia in Lusaka, thanks to goals from Amine Adli and Ayoub El Kaabi. The Atlas Lions extended their unbeaten run in the qualifiers and confirmed their status as early favorites from the continent.
Elsewhere, Ghana tightened their grip on Group I with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Mali. Defender Alexander Djiku scored the decisive goal to put the Black Stars three points clear at the summit, though Madagascar stayed in touch with a comeback 3–1 victory over Chad in Casablanca.
In Group G, Algeria maintained top spot despite being held to a goalless draw by Guinea. The result allowed Uganda, 2–0 winners against Somalia, and Mozambique, who beat Botswana by the same margin, to keep the pressure on the Desert Foxes heading into the final round of matches.
Other notable results included Libya’s 2–0 triumph over Eswatini, pushing them within reach of Group D leaders, and Guinea-Bissau’s 2–0 win against Djibouti, which keeps their qualification hopes alive. In Lilongwe, Malawi and Liberia played out a dramatic 2–2 draw, a result that dented both teams’ chances of progressing.
