Grand close to Match Day 03 and 04 of African FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Match Day 03 and 04 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers came to a grand close on Tuesday, 11 June with electrifying performances as teams concluded what was an exciting wave of World Cup African qualifiers over the last few days.
Tuesday evening also marked exactly 14-years since Africa kicked off its first-ever FIFA World Cup that was hosted in South Africa back in 2010.
Burundi clawed their way into contention for a top spot after a 3-1 victory over Seychelles saw them move up to third in Group F, while Gabon managed a slim 3-2 win over The Gambia to keep a close chase on group leaders, Cote d’Ivoire.
Cameroon could have further extended their lead at the top of Group D but were held to a 1-1 draw by Angola in Luanda.
Despite having an impressive and unexpected start in the qualifiers, Lesotho saw their dreams take a reality check as they lost 1-0 to Rwanda.
Rwanda are now the leaders of Group C, which includes South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. In a twist of events, three teams are now tied with seven points in the group as South Africa and Benin picked up crucial wins on matchday four.
Tanzania grabbed a shock 1-0 win over Group E favourites Zambia, courtesy of an early goal from Waziri Shentembo in the fifth minute.
The team is now three points behind Group E leaders Morocco who have nine points, the Atlas Lions demolished Congo 6-0 to retain top spot scoring five goals in the first half.
Sudan, who cannot play at home because of armed conflict in the east African state, triumphed 3-0 in South Sudan as the neighbours met for the first time.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was in Juba for the opening of the renovated national stadium and saw Walieldin Khedr, in the first half, Yasser Muzammil and Mohamed Yagoub score.
Sudan have 10 points in Group B, Senegal with 8 and the Democratic Republic of Congo with 7 in what is shaping up as a three-team race for top spot.
Comoros, representing an archipelago off the southeastern coast of Africa, replaced Ghana as Group I leaders on goal difference after a 2-0 win over Chad 2-0 in Moroccan city Oujda.
Both goals came in the second half with Myziane Maolida claiming his third of the qualifying campaign and El Fardou Nabouhane his second.
Of all the winners on Tuesday, Mauritius were among the happiest as they ended a 21-year wait for a qualifying win by defeating fellow minnows Eswatini 2-1 in Saint-Pierre.
The Indian Ocean islanders last celebrated a victory in November 2003 when they won 3-1 at home to Uganda. Since then, Mauritius have drawn three matches and lost 10..
Rwanda, Sudan and Comoros, all fifth seeds in six-nation 2026 World Cup qualifying groups, are shock table toppers now in Africa after the two round of matches.
Former qualifiers Egypt, Cameroon, 2022 World Cup semifinalists Morocco, African champions Ivory Coast, Algeria and Tunisia lead the other groups.
Qualifying from Africa is a 10-round marathon spread over three years with the nine group winners booking places at the 48-team finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
None of the three shock frontrunners are ranked among the top 30 countries in Africa, making their achievements remarkable.
However, they will have to wait nine months before they can seek more points as matchday five is scheduled only for March 2025.
Full Time Results
Madagascar 0-0 Mali
Kenya 0-0 Ivory Coast
South Sudan 0-3 Sudan
Mauritius 2-1 Eswatini
Chad 0-2 Comoros
Lesotho 0-1 Rwanda
Cape Verde 1-0 Libya
Zambia 0-1 Tanzania
South Africa 3-1 Zimbabwe
Seychelles 1-3 Burundi
Angola 1-1 Cameroon
Gabon 3-2 Gambia
Congo 0-6 Morocco
