Cape Verde Nears Historic World Cup Qualification
Cape Verde is one victory away from qualifying for the World Cup for the first time after a stunning 1-0 upset against continental heavyweights Cameroon.
The Blue Sharks currently lead the Indomitable Lions by four points in Group D, with two rounds of fixtures remaining. The decisive win was secured by Dalion Livramento's solo effort in the second half in Praia.
In other matches, Senegal mounted an impressive comeback, with Pape Matar Sarr scoring the winner as they rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat DR Congo 3-2, moving to the top of their group.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's chances for automatic qualification for the 2026 finals have dimmed after the Super Eagles managed only a 1-1 draw against group leaders South Africa, a result that was insufficient to keep them in contention.
Additionally, Egypt missed the opportunity to secure their spot at the finals early, finishing in a goalless draw against Burkina Faso.
In the African qualifying process, only the nine group winners are guaranteed a place in the finals, while the four best-ranked second-placed teams will enter playoffs for a chance to compete in an intercontinental tournament next year.
Blue Sharks Celebrate Historic Victory
Cape Verde, having led five-time continental champions Cameroon by only one point prior to their matchup, extended their advantage with a remarkable performance.
Livramento netted the only goal of the match in the 54th minute, muscling Carlos Baleba off the ball in his own half, powering through the Cameroon defense, and finishing calmly past goalkeeper Andre Onana from 14 yards.
Cameroon struggled to respond, with Bryan Mbeumo's penalty claim dismissed and Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha making a crucial save against Flavien Boyomo's volley in stoppage time.
The final whistle prompted a pitch invasion by ecstatic fans, who celebrated by waving flags and lighting flares, marking a momentous occasion for the team.
Cape Verde has previously overachieved in the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals in both 2013 and 2023. However, qualifying for the World Cup would be a remarkable feat for the island nation of fewer than 600,000 inhabitants.
The Blue Sharks need just three points from their final two matches next month—against Libya away and Eswatini at home—to secure their place in the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Senegal's Remarkable Comeback
The eighth round of matches featured several top-of-the-table clashes, with DR Congo holding a narrow one-point lead over Senegal prior to their Group B encounter in Kinshasa.
The Leopards started strong, with Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa putting the hosts 2-0 up within the first 33 minutes at the packed Stade des Martyrs.
However, the Teranga Lions responded, pulling one back in the 39th minute when Pape Gueye tapped in after Iliman Ndiaye's low shot struck the left post.
Leopards goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud made a crucial fingertip save to deny Gueye an equalizer just before halftime, while Senegal's Nicolas Jackson narrowly missed with a header in first-half injury time.
Jackson equalized in the 53rd minute, and Sarr clinched the win with a goal three minutes from the end, converting a cutback from Cheikh Sabaly.
Senegal now leads Group B by two points over DR Congo, who last qualified for the World Cup in 1974 when the nation was known as Zaire.
In contrast, Sudan's hopes in Group B have nearly evaporated after a 1-0 loss to Togo, leaving them four points behind DR Congo.
Super Eagles Fall Short in South Africa
Nigeria faced a must-win situation against South Africa to maintain their hopes for automatic qualification from Group C but fell behind in the 25th minute when center-back William Troost-Ekong inadvertently scored an own goal from a low cross by Mohau Nkota.
The Super Eagles equalized just before halftime, with Fulham defender Calvin Bassey heading in Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's cross. Replays indicated that Bassey had headed the ball onto his own arm, but the goal was allowed due to the absence of Video Assistant Referee in African qualifying.
Despite a determined second-half effort, Nigeria struggled to find quality in the final third and failed to seriously challenge South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
South Africa is on the verge of returning to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, holding a six-point lead over Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda.
Nigeria's chances may still hinge on a potential points deduction for South Africa, who could face penalties for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March, but FIFA has yet to announce a decision on the matter.