
2026 World Cup African qualifiers: Group-by-group breakdown after Matchday 5
Matchday 5 of the African qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ delivered drama, goals, upsets and gritty resilience as the road to North America intensified.
From Ghana's five-star display to Morocco's last-gasp heroics and Sudan's defiance against Senegal, the path to automatic qualification remains tense across the nine groups.
Here's how each group unfolded (all times in GMT): Group A: Pharaohs Firm, Stallions Charge, Leone Stars Climb
Results: Ethiopia 0-2 Egypt
Burkina Faso 4-1 Djibouti
Sierra Leone 3-1 Guinea-Bissau
Egypt remain top of Group A after goals from Salah and Zizo sealed a comfortable win over Ethiopia. Burkina Faso bounced back with a confident 4-1 triumph over Djibouti, while Sierra Leone stunned Guinea-Bissau with a 3-1 win in Monrovia, giving Mohamed Kallon a victorious start as coach.
Standings: Egypt – 13 pts Burkina Faso – 8 pts Sierra Leone – 8 pts Guinea-Bissau – 6 pts Ethiopia – 3 pts Djibouti – 1 pt
Next Fixtures (Matchday 6): 24.03 – Mali vs Guinea-Bissau (16:00)
24.03 – Ethiopia vs Djibouti (21:00)
25.03 – Egypt vs Sierra Leone (19:00)
Group B: Stalemate in Libya as Congo DR Closes In
Results: Sudan 0-0 Senegal
Congo DR 1-0 South Sudan
Togo 2-2 Mauritania
Sudan held favourites Senegal to a goalless draw in Benina to remain unbeaten and top of the group. Congo DR edged South Sudan to climb within a point of Sudan. Togo and Mauritania shared the spoils in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Standings: Sudan – 11 pts DR Congo – 10 pts Senegal – 9 pts Togo – 5 pts Mauritania – 2 pts South Sudan – 2 pts
Next Fixtures (Matchday 6): 24.03 – Central Africa vs Mali (16:00)
25.03 – Sudan vs South Sudan (19:00)
25.03 – Senegal vs Togo (21:00)
25.03 – Mauritania vs DR Congo (21:00) Group C: South Africa Hit the Summit, Osimhen Sparks Nigeria
Results: South Africa 2-0 Lesotho
Nigeria 2-0 Rwanda
Zimbabwe 2-2 Benin
Bafana Bafana went top thanks to a second-half burst against Lesotho. Nigeria recorded their first win, with Osimhen scoring twice in Kigali. Benin dropped points after blowing a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe.
Standings: South Africa – 10 pts Benin – 8 pts Rwanda – 7 pts Nigeria – 7 pts Lesotho – 5 pts Zimbabwe – 3 pts
Next Fixtures (Matchday 6): 25.03 – Benin vs South Africa (16:00)
25.03 – Nigeria vs Zimbabwe (16:00)
25.03 – Rwanda vs Lesotho (16:00) Group D: Algeria Pounce as Cabo Verde Leave It Late
Results: Algeria 3-1 Botswana
Cabo Verde 1-0 Mauritius
Libya 1-1 Angola
Eswatini 0-0 Cameroon
Algeria now top Group D on goal difference after Amoura's brace downed Botswana. Cabo Verde edged Mauritius late, while Angola's stoppage-time equaliser denied Libya. Cameroon dropped points in a shock draw with bottom side Eswatini.
Standings: Algeria – 12 pts Mozambique – 12 pts Guinea – 7 pts Botswana – 6 pts Uganda – 6 pts Somalia – 1 pt
Next Fixtures (Matchday 6): 23.03 – Eswatini vs Mauritius (13:00)
25.03 – Angola vs Cape Verde (16:00)
25.03 – Cameroon vs Libya (19:00) Group E: Morocco Leave It Late to Stay Perfect
Results:
Morocco made it four wins from four with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Niger. El Khannouss' stoppage-time goal preserved their 100% record and put the Atlas Lions six points clear atop Group E.
Standings: Morocco – 12 pts Niger – 6 pts Tanzania – 6 pts (game in hand) Zambia – 3 pts Congo – 0 pts Eritrea – 0 pts
Next Fixtures (Matchday 6): 25.03 – Morocco vs Tanzania (21:30) Group F: Elephants March On as Gabon Roar
Results: Côte d'Ivoire 1-0 Burundi
Gabon 3-0 Seychelles
Gambia 3-3 Kenya
Côte d'Ivoire regained top spot with a narrow win over Burundi. Gabon moved into second with a confident display against Seychelles, while Kenya and Gambia played out a six-goal thriller.
Standings: Côte d'Ivoire – 13 pts Gabon – 12 pts Burundi – 7 pts Kenya – 4 pts Gambia – 4 pts Seychelles – 0 pts
Next Fixtures (Matchday 6): 23.03 – Kenya vs Gabon (13:00)
24.03 – Cote d'Ivoire vs Gambia (16:00)
25.03 – Burundi vs Seychelles (19:00) Group G: Algeria Edge Ahead of Mambas
Results: Mozambique 3-1 Uganda
Guinea 0-0 Somalia
Botswana 1-3 Algeria
Algeria leapfrogged Mozambique on goal difference after dispatching Botswana. Earlier in the week, Mozambique defeated Uganda with a Pepo masterclass. Guinea were held to a shock draw by Somalia.
Standings: Algeria – 12 pts (+6) Mozambique – 12 pts (+3) Guinea – 7 pts Botswana – 6 pts Uganda – 6 pts Somalia – 1 pt
Next Fixtures (Matchday 6): 24.03 – Namibia vs Equatorial Guinea (13:00)
25.03 – Uganda vs Guinea (16:00)
25.03 – Algeria vs Mozambique (21:00) Group H: Tunisia Hold Firm as Namibia Chase
Results: Tunisia 1-0 Liberia
Namibia 1-0 Malawi
Equatorial Guinea 2-0 São Tomé and Príncipe
Hazem Mastouri's early goal helped Tunisia beat Liberia to keep their grip on the top spot. Namibia edged Malawi, while Equatorial Guinea swept past São Tomé and Príncipe.
Standings: Tunisia – 13 pts Namibia – 11 pts Liberia – 7 pts Malawi – 6 pts Equatorial Guinea – 4 pts São Tomé and Príncipe – 0 pts Group I: Ghana Run Riot, Mali Bounce Back
Results: Ghana 5-0 Chad
Mali 3-0 Comoros
Central African Republic 1-4 Madagascar
Ghana returned to the top of Group I with a thumping win over Chad. Mali kept their qualification hopes alive with a convincing victory against Comoros. Madagascar staged a comeback to thrash Central African Republic.
Standings: Ghana – 12 pts Madagascar – 10 pts Comoros – 9 pts Mali – 8 pts Central African Republic – 4 pts Chad – 0 pts

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al-Ahram Weekly
4 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Marc Brys parts ways with Cameroon over unpaid salary - Africa
Belgian coach Marc Brys has resigned as Cameroon's national team manager, the Cameroonian Football Federation (CFF) announced on Wednesday. Brys, who took charge of the Indomitable Lions in April 2024, sent a letter to the Cameroonian Minister of Sports and Physical Education on Monday, citing unpaid salaries for himself and his technical staff for approximately 60 days as the reason for his resignation. Local media reports suggest that strained relations between Brys and Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon legend and president of the (CFF), also contributed to the coach's departure. The reports indicate that disagreements centered on team management and player selection. During his tenure, the 63-year-old guided Cameroon through 12 matches, winning seven and drawing five. Brys's resignation comes at a critical time, with the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco in four months. Cameroon, five-time African champions, has been drawn in a group alongside defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Mozambique. In the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, Cameroon currently sit second in their group, one point behind leaders Cape Verde, with four matches remaining. The qualification campaign is set to conclude in September and October. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


CAF
6 hours ago
- CAF
Motlhalo's rise to African Penalty Queen
Linda Motlhalo. Elite penalty converter. Spot kick speciliast. Sharpshooter. And on and on and on. One could use all the superlatives to describe South Africa's number 10 over the years when it comes to converting from the spot. The 27-year-old midfielder is the first choice go-to pinpoint scorer for the Banyana Banyana, and she has been perfect over the years since finding the back of the net for the first time at the WAFCON in 2016. An 84th minute goal against Egypt in open play to seal a 5-0 victory over the North Africans to ensure Banyana Banyana booked a place in the semifinals in Limbe, Cameroon was the beginning of her goalscoring count at the WAFCON as an 18-year-old. Teenage sensation to Dependable Executor Calm in chaos is the best way to describe Motlhalo when she steps up to take a penalty for South Africa. Carrying the weight of a nation, the Gauteng born midfield maestro understands the job at hand and has mastered how to rise above the noise to create magic. Motlhalo converted her first penalty at the WAFCON in the 2018 edition in Ghana at the age of 20 when she was the first to find the back of the net in an impressive 7-1 win over two-time African champions Equatorial Guinea at the group stage level to open the floodgates for her teammates. The win sent Banyana Banyana to the semifinals as Group B leaders. But tables turned. At the same edition, Motlhalo took to the coveted spot and missed a deciding penalty that could have won South Africa their first TotalEnergies WAFCON title. A final against their biggest archrivals Nigeria. The stage had been set. Prior to that moment, South Africa had been to the final thrice and had lost all of them - to Nigeria in 2000 and to Equatorial Guinea twice in 2008 and 2012. In Ghana once again against Nigeria, revenge would have been perfect for the Banyana Banyana but alas! 'I think when it comes to penalties, I will take it back to 2018 when we played against Nigeria in the final. I took a deciding penalty, and I missed it. Obviously, had I scored, we would have won the WAFCON. It was a deciding thing for me. I know how it feels when one misses a penalty. I went back home and I was practicing a lot because I didn't want that feeling anymore,' Motlhalo opens up on what changed her approach to penalties. The scars of that final changed the trajectory of South Africa's preparations for the WAFCON going forward. They went on to defeat Nigeria in the next two editions in their opening games at the WAFCON. In 2018, they won thanks to a Thembi Kgatlana lone goal that did the job. Four years later, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia netted in a 2-1 victory over the Super Falcons to further emphasize that South Africa had found their mojo against the now nine-time record African champions. They deserved to sit on the high table of African Football. Once beaten, twice shy Sleek on and off the field, Motlhalo is naturally a go-getter. Born into a football family with her father taking up coaching and her uncle Joseph Motlhalo playing as a goalkeeper for South African giants Kaizer Chiefs between 1970 and 1985, Motlhalo was destined to play football. 'I grew up in a family that was football oriented. My Dad was a coach, and I think at the age of six when my Dad used to go coach the boys, he would just give me a ball, and I would juggle it. I think that's when he realized that this is what makes me happy. And that's how it started. When I play football, I forget my problems. It is my joy. It is my happiness,' she reveals. Her passion of playing football has seen her travel across the world playing at major tournaments for South Africa including the Rio 2016 Olympics, two World Cups in 2019 in France and 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. Her professional journey at club level started in the NWSL – the American topflight league for Houston Dash in 2018 before playing in Beijing, China the following year. She then joined Djurgården in Sweden, Glasgow City in Scotland, Racing Louisville in the NWSL before returning to Glasgow City in 2025. 'I always practice penalties at club level as well as on the national team,' Motlhalo says with strong affirmation on her face. This experience continued to give her confidence as she grew in leaps and bounds from the spot. At the WAFCON in 2022, Motlhalo netted twice from the penalty spot – one against Burundi in the group stages in a 3-1 victory that booked Banyana Banyana's place in the quarterfinals. They edged Tunisia 1-0 to progress to the semifinals where they met a stubborn Zambia side. Once again, Motlhalo made no mistake. From the way she placed the ball on the spot to how she looked at goalkeeper Hazel Nali as if to check the pupils in her eyes to the way that she stepped back, assessed her angle, Motlhalo knew that this one was going straight in. And just like that, in the 94th minute, she slotted the ball to earn South Africa a crucial victory that earned them a place in the final that they went on to win 2-1 against hosts Morocco. 'Zambia! I remember one of my teammates asking me, 'Are you taking it?' I didn't even respond to it. I kept praying, praying and I felt that my knees were shaking. I don't know how I did it, but I was nervous. But I am glad that it went in. Pressure is a privilege for me.' On to the Promised Land With the confidence of finally winning the WAFCON in 2022, Motlhalo is now writing history. A reminder that success comes to those who prepare for it and decide to face fear in the face. For Motlhalo, the confidence she gets from her teammates gives her superpowers. 'We have been practicing penalties, and it really shows. We feed off each other. It's mind games when it comes to penalties. Andile [Dlamini] (South Africa's goalkeeper) does not make it easy for us in training. To a point where I didn't feel pressure anymore. It's more like a moment that happens during the game, and I need to cherish it. So, every time that I am faced with pressure, I take it as, 'I need to be as calm as possible.' I just do what I have been doing in training.' 'I was always reminded by people that had you not missed. We would have been champions. I like being criticised because if I am not being criticized, I get worried because it means that people care. So, I took that in a positive way, and I made it work,' she emphasizes. At the ongoing TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 in Morocco, Motlhalo started from where she had left off in the past editions. In her usual routine, deliberate from the onset, she put one past Ghanaian custodian Cynthia Konlan to open the scoring for South Africa in this year's edition. The Banyana Banyana went on to win 2-0 against the three-time WAFCON finalists. 'I think I was calmer. Also, it was the thing that, I know I am going to take it. Even the team saying, no one is going to take it but Linda. That on its own gives me confidence as well. I think for me the important thing was being calm,' Motlhalo reminscences. On Tuesday, July 22 in a highly contested encounter between South Africa and Nigeria, Motlhalo once again stood tall. Trailing 0-1 to the Super Falcons at the halftime break, South Africa needed something, anything. And just like that, when Magaia was brought down in the 18-yard box, Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda pointed to the spot. Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane picked up the ball, held onto it as all the players tuned their mindsets to that moment. Meanwhile, Motlhalo stood back, observing everything that was happening in front of her and calculating where to put the ball. Effectively, she became the first and only player to score past Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who had until the semifinals kept four clean sheets at the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 when she equalized against the Super Falcons. Michelle Alozie found the back of the net in the 94th minute to shutter South Africa's dreams of defending their title but for Motlhalo and her teammates, they will head home knowing that they gave their all in a heavily contested matchup against the continent's crème de la crème. Six WAFCON goals – five of them penalties in three editions has earned Motlhalo the title – African Penalty Queen. A title that is not necessarily consolation for their elimination from the title race but one that sets her apart from the crowd.


CAF
6 hours ago
- CAF
Ten days to go: Tanzania ready to make CHAN history
Tanzania will be in the spotlight this August as co-hosts of the biggest-ever TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), alongside neighbours Kenya and Uganda. The East African nation sees this tournament not just as a celebration of African football but as a springboard for transforming its domestic game. With ten days to go, Taifa Stars CHAN head coach Hemed 'Morocco' Suleiman is preparing his team to compete in front of their home crowd. For the experienced tactician, CHAN represents far more than a competition — it is a proving ground for home-based players and a litmus test for Tanzania's football progress. In this exclusive interview with the coach talks about the significance of hosting CHAN, his expectations for the tournament, the strength of his squad, and his long-term vision for Tanzanian football. Q&A with Coach Hemed 'Morocco' Suleiman Q: Coach Hemed, what does it mean for Tanzania to co-host the biggest-ever CHAN tournament? Hosting CHAN alongside Kenya and Uganda is a historic moment for Tanzanian football. It's a powerful platform to showcase our local talent to a continental and global audience. The visibility this brings to the efforts being made domestically — especially by clubs like Simba, Yanga, and Azam — is massive. This tournament has already driven investment in infrastructure and development programs, which will have lasting benefits. It inspires our young players and gives them something tangible to dream about. More than a tournament, CHAN is a catalyst for long-term growth — improving facilities, increasing media attention, and raising public interest. It also gives our coaches and support staff valuable experience. Hosting reflects confidence in Tanzania's footballing project, and we take that responsibility seriously. Q: Your group features emerging teams like Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Central African Republic and Madagascar. How do you rate your opponents? We have great respect for all the teams in our group, including the Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Central African Republic and Madagascar. These are sides full of talented players and good tactical organization. In modern football, there's no such thing as an easy game, especially in CHAN where surprises are common. We've studied their recent performances and know they bring energy and elegance to their play. Our focus is on preparing thoroughly and treating every opponent with equal seriousness. Each match will demand full concentration and discipline. While we trust in our abilities, we know nothing will come easy. It's a competitive group and we're preparing accordingly. Consistency and focus will be key. Q: What is your main objective at this CHAN — short-term success or long-term development? Our primary objective is to be competitive and progress as far as possible in this tournament. But equally important is building a strong foundation for the future. CHAN is unique in that it highlights domestic-based players and helps us assess talent for long-term inclusion in the national team. We are balancing the pursuit of results with strategic development. Players from clubs like Simba and Yanga have already shown they can compete at the highest level in CAF competitions. CHAN is their chance to prove themselves for the national team. Reaching the knockout stage would be a great achievement, but identifying players who can become regular Taifa Stars is just as valuable. Q: How prepared are your players physically and mentally for the competition? Our players have come through a long and demanding domestic season. The Tanzanian Premier League is highly competitive, and our clubs' participation in CAF tournaments has built a strong base of fitness and toughness. Right now, it's about maintaining that level and ensuring freshness heading into the tournament. Mentally, Tanzanian players are known for their resilience and focus. That spirit is present in this squad. We've had to manage tight schedules, travel demands, and expectations, and that's prepared us for this CHAN. We've also implemented support systems for mental recovery. This is a team built on character and belief — and those will be our biggest strengths. Q: Which areas of your squad do you feel are the strongest going into CHAN? I believe we have a balanced squad, but our defensive organization stands out. We have an experienced and solid backline that understands the demands of high-level competition. In midfield, there's a good mix of energy, vision, and discipline, allowing us to control the tempo. Our attack is still developing its chemistry, but we've seen promising moments. Leadership within the group is also a major asset — several players bring maturity and professionalism. Of course, football is dynamic and strengths on paper must be proven on the pitch. We've worked hard on transitions and set pieces, but ultimately, our collective spirit is our greatest strength. Q: How has hosting helped improve your infrastructure and preparation time? Hosting has accelerated improvements in infrastructure and logistics. We've had access to better training pitches, upgraded stadiums, and enhanced medical and fitness equipment. Local authorities and the federation have supported us with travel, accommodation, and dietary planning. Early coordination with clubs ensured player availability, and we've had more time to build team cohesion and implement tactical plans. This level of preparation sets a new standard and reflects our serious intent. Success begins with proper planning, and we believe we're on the right track. Q: What's your assessment of the talent coming from the Tanzanian Premier League? The Tanzanian Premier League continues to produce exciting talent, and the standard has improved significantly. Clubs like Simba, Yanga, and Azam are setting benchmarks in training, professionalism, and tactical quality. That directly benefits the national team, especially in a tournament like CHAN, which is reserved for local players. We're seeing more young players with strong technical and physical attributes, and some are already attracting interest abroad. Our scouting teams follow the league closely, and we're impressed by the hunger and discipline of several emerging stars. There's still room for improvement in youth development and coaching education, but the direction is very positive. Q: How have fans in Dar es Salaam responded to Tanzania co-hosting CHAN? The response from fans in Dar es Salaam has been overwhelmingly positive and deeply personal. There's a strong sense of pride in hosting a tournament of this stature. The city has embraced the event with enthusiasm, and interest in our training sessions is growing. The support from clubs like Simba and Yanga, even putting aside their rivalry to back the national team, has been special. You can feel the buzz — people are talking about football everywhere. And of course, we're not forgetting Zanzibar. Many players in this team come from Zanzibar, and we want to make both Mainland and Zanzibar proud. Q: Do you believe Tanzania can better its past CHAN performances? Absolutely. We believe this is our best chance yet. Tanzania has qualified for CHAN three times — in 2009, 2011, and 2020 — but we've never progressed beyond the group stage. Each tournament has taught us valuable lessons. This time, as hosts, we benefit from home support and better preparation. Our top clubs Yanga and Simba are regularly competing in continental competitions, and this squad is more experienced, organized, and mentally tough than before. We're not taking anything for granted, but we believe this team has the quality to make history. Our aim is to go further than ever and make the nation proud. Q: What is your long-term vision for this group of local-based players post-CHAN? Our long-term vision is to give these players a platform to attract international opportunities and begin shaping a competitive squad for AFCON 2027, which we're also proud to host. CHAN is a valuable window for local players to perform in front of scouts, and we fully expect some to gain interest from clubs abroad. That kind of exposure is vital for their careers and for the international reputation of Tanzanian football. At the same time, CHAN is part of our broader plan. Players who perform well here will form the backbone of our future team. We're focused on consistency, professionalism, and building a squad that will be ready to compete when AFCON 2027 comes to Tanzania.