DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania
Sixteen teams began their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as Egypt hammered Djibouti while Algeria also picked up a win in their opening match.
Twenty-seven goals were scored
across the eight games and the day started with Burundi emerging 3-2 victors
against Gambia at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam,
The Swallows went into the
break 2-1 up courtesy of goals from Abedi Bigirimana (31') and Frederic
Nsabiyumva (35') before Musa Barrow (45+4') halved the deficit on the stroke of
halftime. Sudi Abdallah (75') sealed the win, although Ebrima Colley (90+8'
PEN) pulled another one back for the Scorpions deep into stoppage time.
Mozambique came out on top in
a Southern African derby after they beat Botswana 3-2 at the Francistown
Stadium.
Clesio (14') broke the
deadlock early on in Francistown and Stanley Ratifo (52') doubled the Mambas'
lead, but two goals in quick succession saw Molaodi Tlhalefang (74') hit back
for the Zebras before Jonathan Muiomo (75') found a swift reply at the other
end and Mogakolodi Ngele (85') got his name on the scoresheet late on to set up
a tense finish.
It was the Mohamed Salah show
at the Cairo International Stadium as Egypt thumped Djibouti to take early
command of Group A.
Salah (17', 22' PEN, 48', 69')
scored four himself in Cairo and further goals from Mostafa Mohamed (73') and
Trezeguet (89') completed the rout.
Meanwhile, Kevin Denkey (43')
cancelled out Mohamed Eisa's 17th-minute opener from the penalty spot as Togo
battled from behind to draw 1-1 with Sudan Martyrs of February Stadium in
Benghazi and Nigeria also had to settle for the share of the spoils after they
drew 1-1 against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (56') gave
the Crocodiles a shock lead early in the second half, but Semi Ajayi equalised
11 minutes later to rescue a point for the Super Eagles.
Kenya's return to competitive
action saw them suffer a 2-1 defeat to Gabon at the Franceville Stadium, where
second-half goals from Denis Bouanga (60') and Guelor Kanga (88') secured the
comeback win after Masud Juma (40') had put the Harambee Stars ahead.
Algeria got off to a positive
start with a 3-1 victory over Somalia at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki,
while the clash between Cape Verde and Angola finished goalless at the Estadio
Nacional de Cabo Verde.
An own-goal from Ahmed
Abdullahi Abdi after just two minutes gave the Fennec Foxes a dream start and
Baghdad Bounedjah (31') doubled their advantage before Yusuf Ahmed reduced the
deficit for the Ocean Stars, only for Islam Slimani (80') to wrap up the win in
the closing stages.
CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying
results:
Thursday, November 16
Burundi 3-2 Gambia
Botswana 2-3 Mozambique
Egypt 6-0 Djibouti
Sudan 1-1 Togo
Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho
Gabon 2-1 Kenya
Algeria 3-1 Somalia
Cape Verde 0-0 Angola
No comments:
Post a Comment