Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying prospects encountered a significant setback following a 2-1 defeat to Benin on Monday. Despite taking an early lead through Raphael Onyedika’s 27th-minute goal, Nigeria could not maintain their advantage.
Benin responded with goals from Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie, capitalizing on defensive lapses by Nigeria. The loss leaves Nigeria with only three points from their initial four group matches, trailing behind Benin, who lead Group C with seven points.
In a thrilling encounter in Kumasi, Ghana overturned a halftime deficit to secure a 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic. Jordan Ayew emerged as the hero, netting a hat-trick to propel Ghana to the top of Group I with nine points.
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The victory follows Ghana’s recent triumph in Mali, where Ayew also played a crucial role. The Ghanaian team’s resilience in challenging conditions, including heavy rain, highlights their determination to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Algeria demonstrated their strong resolve with a 2-1 win against Uganda in Kampala. After trailing by a goal at halftime, Houssem Aouar and Said Benrahma scored in the second half to secure the victory.
This win restores Algeria to the top of Group G with nine points, sharing the lead with Mozambique, who benefited from a last-minute penalty to defeat Guinea. Algeria’s performance underscores their potential as strong contenders for World Cup qualification.
Egypt managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Guinea Bissau, thanks to a spectacular equalizer from Mohamed Salah.
The draw maintains Egypt’s four-point lead in Group A, positioning them favourably in the race for World Cup qualification. Salah’s decisive play underlines his critical role in Egypt’s campaign.
As the fourth round of group matches concludes, only the winners of the nine African groups will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The best runner-up will also have a chance to qualify through a playoff system. With more qualifiers scheduled for Tuesday, the competition remains intense and unpredictable.
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