AFCON 2025
A dramatic final night of CAF World Cup qualifying delivered joy for South Africa, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, as all three giants secured direct tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Elsewhere, Congo DR, Nigeria and Gabon confirmed their places in the African Play-Off Tournament, joining Cameroon in the race for one last continental slot.
Bafana Bafana Back on the Global Stage
South Africa ended a 16-year absence from the World Cup with a clinical 3–0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela. Thalente Mbatha got the crowd roaring with an early strike that slipped through goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari’s hands.
Oswin Appollis made it two midway through the first half after linking up with Evidence Makgopa. The pair connected again after the break as Makgopa headed in from Appollis’s corner to complete a dominant win—helped by results elsewhere falling their way.
Osimhen Inspires Nigeria, Benin Collapse
Nigeria hammered Benin 4–0 in Uyo thanks to a sensational hat-trick from Victor Osimhen. The Super Eagles struck within three minutes, with Samuel Chukwueze setting up Osimhen for the opener.
The Galatasaray forward doubled the lead with a powerful header before the interval, then completed his treble shortly after half-time from a Moses Simon free-kick. Frank Onyeka added a late fourth.
The result dropped Benin from top spot to third, allowing South Africa to leapfrog them and qualify. Nigeria finish second and await confirmation of their Play-Off Tournament spot as one of the top runners-up.
Senegal storm through in Style
Senegal produced a commanding 4–0 win over Mauritania in Diamniadio to claim first place in Group B. After a flurry of early misses, Sadio Mané broke the deadlock with a curling free-kick just before half-time, then struck again moments into the second period.
Iliman Ndiaye added a stunning solo goal and Habib Diallo wrapped things up late on. The Lions of Teranga return to the World Cup stage they impressed on in 2022.
Côte d’Ivoire Cruise Past Kenya
Côte d’Ivoire confirmed qualification with a comfortable 3–0 victory over Kenya in Abidjan. Franck Kessié opened the scoring within eight minutes after combining neatly with Amad Diallo.
Rising talent Yan Diomandé doubled the lead after the break, and Diallo capped the night with a late finish. Under Emerse Faé, the Elephants have now reached four of the last five World Cups.
High-Scoring Finale for The Gambia
The Gambia signed off with a statement 7–0 win against the Seychelles in Saint Pierre. Abdoulie Manneh netted a hat-trick, while Adama Sidibeh and Musa Barrow each scored twice. Despite being out of contention, the Scorpions ended their campaign firing on all cylinders.
Guinea and Botswana Share the Points
In Conakry, Guinea and Botswana drew 2–2 after an end-to-end first half. Segolame Boy gave Botswana an early lead, only for Abdoul Traoré to equalise with a header. Aliou Baldé put Guinea in front with a solo effort, but Gape Mohutsiwa levelled just before the break.
Mozambique Edge Somalia
Geny Catamo’s fifth-minute finish earned Mozambique a 1–0 win over Somalia in Bir El Djir. Despite resilient defending from Somalia, they ended the campaign still searching for their first World Cup qualifying goal since June 2024.
Congo DR, Gabon Book Play-Off Spots
Theo Bongonda’s strike handed Congo DR a 1–0 victory over Sudan and a spot in the African Play-Off Tournament. Senegal’s result kept them from topping the group but preserved their continental hopes.
Gabon secured their play-off ticket by defeating Burundi 2–0 in Franceville. Late goals from Bryan Meyo and Mario Lemina sealed a morale-boosting win.
Elsewhere Across the Continent
– Morocco, already through, closed out with a 1–0 home win against Congo thanks to Youssef En-Nesyri.
– In Boukhalfa, Mohamed Amoura scored two stoppage-time penalties as Algeria rescued a draw against Uganda.
– Mozambique’s earlier victory over Somalia concluded Group play.
