2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania off to a flying start
African champions Senegal cruised to a 4-0 victory over South Sudan on Saturday as their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup opened in emphatic style.
Saudi Arabia-based star Sadio Mane bagged a brace, with Pape Sarr and Lamine Camara also on target in the one-sided triumph.
Senegal wasted no time asserting control, taking the lead inside 60 seconds through Sarr’s composed finish.
Mane then doubled the advantage on six minutes, emphatically firing home after Habib Diallo’s clever set-up play.
On 29 minutes, South Sudan were fortunate goalkeeper Majak Mawith only received a yellow for upending Mane when clean through.
The Teranga Lions soon had a deserved third goal as Idrissa Gueye teed up Camara to smash home on the stroke of halftime.
Mane then converted a penalty on 57 minutes to put the result beyond any doubt at 4-0.
The hosts should have added more goals against the overwhelmed South Sudanese. Mane and others were withdrawn once the points were sealed.
Senegal face another qualifier against Togo on Tuesday, while South Sudan ‘host’ Mauritania in neutral Diamniadio.
Percy Tau and Khuliso Mudau goals gave South Africa a 2-1 victory over Benin in Group C.
Steve Mounie pulled one back late for Benin to make for a nervy finale, but Bafana Bafana held on.
With only nine direct World Cup spots available to Africa, Senegal and company know strong home form is key. Their quest continues on Sunday.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Tanzania won 1-0 away to Niger in Group E thanks to Charles M’Mombwa’s second-half strike.
The African qualifiers will continue on Sunday 19 November with five matches across the continent, headlined by heavyweights Algeria, Nigeria and Egypt tackling Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone respectively.
