CAPE TOWN – An avalanche of goals on Friday propelled African giants Ivory Coast and Senegal to the brink of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with both sides needing just one more win at home in their final group matches next week to secure their places in North America.
African champions Ivory Coast crushed Seychelles 7-0 on the road, maintaining their slender one-point lead over Gabon in Group F. The Elephants will clinch qualification if they defeat Kenya in their upcoming home fixture on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang delivered a sensational performance, netting all four goals in a 4-3 comeback victory against the Gambia in Nairobi, despite being sent off late in the match. Gabon’s win keeps their World Cup hopes alive heading into the final group stage.
In Group B, Senegal sustained their two-point lead over the Democratic Republic of Congo as both sides triumphed away from home in their penultimate matches. Senegal routed South Sudan 5-0 in Juba, while DR Congo edged Togo 1-0.
Senegal can secure qualification for a third consecutive World Cup by defeating neighboring Mauritania at home in Dakar on Tuesday. Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring in the 29th minute, assisted by Iliman Ndiaye’s cross, before the Everton winger provided the pass for Sadio Mane’s early second-half goal.
With just one game remaining, both Ivory Coast and Senegal are poised to continue Africa’s strong representation at next year’s World Cup.
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