Salah scores as Egypt bag win

Captain Mohamed Salah discovered the web for Egypt as they secured a snug 2-0 win over Ethiopia of their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday.

In the meantime, Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, needed to depend on a late aim from Bilal El Khannouss to edge previous Niger.

Egypt prolonged their lead in Group A to 5 factors on the halfway stage of the qualifiers, with Zizo including a second aim to seal their victory.

Burkina Faso earlier secured a 4-1 conquer Djibouti, propelling them into second place within the group.

Every group winner among the many 9 qualification teams secures a direct spot on the World Cup finals set to be held in america, Mexico, and Canada.

In the meantime, the 4 greatest runners-up will face a difficult intercontinental playoff for the final out there berth.

Morocco performed their designated away match towards Niger on residence soil in Oujda, as Niger lacks appropriate stadiums for worldwide video games.

Regardless of this benefit, Morocco discovered themselves trailing till Ismael Saibari equalized on the hour mark, with El Khannouss clinching the win in stoppage time.

This outcome put them six factors forward of Niger in Group E.

Mo Salah had a aim and an help within the first half towards Ethiopia.

It is what he does 👑 pic.twitter.com/0pGCiFiQnR

— B/R Soccer (@brfootball) March 21, 2025

South Africa confronted a troublesome problem at residence towards neighbouring Lesotho however finally prevailed 2-0. Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams each scored their maiden worldwide targets to ship their group to the highest of Group C.

They are going to subsequent journey to impartial Abidjan for an important match towards second-placed Benin on Tuesday, the place a victory may widen their lead.

Nigeria lastly broke their winless streak within the qualification marketing campaign, securing a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali. Victor Osimhen netted twice, boosting Nigeria’s factors tally to 6, although they nonetheless path South Africa by 4 factors.

Ghana, who didn’t qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, delivered a dominant 5-0 efficiency towards Chad in Accra.

Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Salisu, and Ernest Nuamah all obtained on the scoresheet, inserting Ghana two factors forward of Madagascar in Group I.

Ivory Coast transfer prime

Ivory Coast climbed to the highest of their group after a slender 1-0 win over Burundi in a match hosted in Morocco. Evann Guessand scored his first worldwide aim, securing the victory.

Algeria moved to the highest of Group G on aim distinction following a 3-1 win over Botswana. Mohamed Amoura struck twice, whereas Amine Gouiri opened the scoring for the guests.

Guinea’s qualification hopes took successful as they had been held to a goalless draw towards underdogs Somalia in impartial Abidjan.

Elsewhere, the Democratic Republic of Congo edged South Sudan with a 1-0 win, due to Theo Bongonda’s first-half strike. This victory positioned them in second place in Group B behind Sudan, who’re set to face Senegal on Saturday.

Emilio Nsue made a triumphant return to the Equatorial Guinea squad, scoring of their 2-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe. Nsue had been serving a six-month FIFA-imposed ban because of eligibility points, regardless of being the nation’s all-time main scorer.