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In Africa, a jam-packed March window of World Cup qualifiers started with a number of giants in peril. It ended with a extra digestible image of the 2026 discipline, partially as a result of most of these giants took care of enterprise.
Most, however not all. Whereas Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and others went two for 2, Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal stumbled. With six video games gone and 4 to go, that latter group has work to do — and in some instances, a variety of work — to nab one in every of Africa’s 9 World Cup spots.
Under is a rundown of the sector, and of a busy March window.
World Cup berths: 9 (plus 1 intercontinental playoff berth)
World Cup qualifying format: All 54 groups had been drawn into 9 teams of six. The winner of every group qualifies for the World Cup. The 4 runners-up with probably the most factors go to a playoff; and the winner of that playoff will get Africa’s spot within the intercontinental playoffs.
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Certified: None Assured: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Ghana, Algeria Bubble: Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Sudan Lengthy pictures: Mozambique, Botswana, Uganda, Guinea, Mali, Comoros, Madagascar, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Togo, South Sudan, Mauritania, Rwanda, Benin, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Libya, Angola, Eswatini, Niger, Tanzania, Zambia, Congo*, Gambia, Kenya, Burundi, Namibia, Liberia, Malawi, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic Eradicated: Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Chad, Djibouti, Somalia Withdrew: Eritrea
*FIFA suspended Congo’s soccer federation in February. The nationwide group’s March qualifiers had been canceled … however FIFA hasn’t confirmed that it’s disqualified altogether.
Winner: South Africa — Businesslike wins over Lesotho and Benin have Bafana Bafana within the driver’s seat in Group C, with a five-point cushion.
Loser: Nigeria — When Victor Osimhen scored within the 74th minute of Tuesday’s tense qualifier in opposition to Zimbabwe — as he ripped off his protecting masks, with pandemonium erupting throughout him in Uyo — Nigeria seemed like a winner of the window. Had the Tremendous Eagles held onto that 1-0 lead, they’d be in second place, inside shouting distance of South Africa. As an alternative, they conceded a Ninetieth-minute equalizer, and slumped again to fourth place, six factors off the Group C tempo. So, they’re in bother.
Winner: Ghana — The Black Stars smashed each Chad and Madagascar to take agency management of Group I. Comoros, a volcanic archipelago of lower than one million individuals, whose nationwide group beat Ghana again in 2023, remains to be lurking, however its 3-0 loss to Mali final week gave Ghana three factors of respiration room.
Winner: Cape Verde — Two slim wins gave Cape Verde the highest spot in Group D, one level forward of …
Loser: Cameroon — A stalemate with last-place Eswatini has arrange an important conflict with Cape Verde in September. With a loss there, Cameroon can be on the brink, needing assist to climb again towards World Cup qualification.
Winner: Egypt — Egypt’s wins over Ethiopia and Sierra Leone saved second-place Burkina Faso — who additionally gained twice — at arm’s size, 5 factors again.
Loser: Sudan — The Sudanese held Senegal to a 0-0 draw, then seemed set to remain atop Group B … solely to concede a haphazard 98th-minute equalizer to South Sudan on Tuesday. In doing so, their underdog quest may need fizzled out.
Winner: Democratic Republic of Congo — The beneficiary of the Sudan-Senegal draw was the DR Congo, who noticed off two minnows and rose to the highest of their group.
Winner: Algeria — An enormous 5-1 victory over Mozambique put the Algerians accountable for Group G.
Winner: Gabon — LAFC star Denis Bouanga and 35-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led their nation to 2 extra wins, and saved the stress on Group F favourite Ivory Coast — whom Gabon will host on Marchday 8 in September.