By KUNLE SOLAJA.

As Nigeria prepare to host Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, attention in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will first shift to Mangaung this Friday, where South Africa face Lesotho in a clash that could reshape the group’s balance of power.

Lesotho, currently fifth on six points, are still very much in contention despite their lowly position.

Their tally might have been nine had FIFA ruled on an earlier South Africa infringement, but the Crocodiles remain within touching distance of the leaders.

In a curious twist, the match—technically a Lesotho home fixture—will be staged at the Free State Stadium in South Africa.

Group leaders South Africa, on 13 points, know that victory will allow them to retain command of the section, piling pressure on Nigeria, Rwanda and Benin who play on Saturday.

For Lesotho, however, the stakes are even higher: a win would catapult them from fifth place to second before the other fixtures kick off, instantly tightening the race.

The outcome in Mangaung will ripple across the group. Nigeria, on seven points, must host Rwanda less than 24 hours later, knowing that defeat would damage their push for top spot—especially with a daunting trip to South Africa looming just three days after the Uyo showdown.

Rwanda, on eight points, face a similar scenario: Saturday’s result could either cement their challenge or leave them chasing shadows if South Africa or Lesotho edge ahead.

Benin, meanwhile, will host Zimbabwe in Abidjan also this Friday with hopes of staying alive in the qualification picture.

With only group winners guaranteed automatic tickets to the 2026 World Cup in North America, Friday’s Lesotho–South Africa encounter promises to be just as destiny-shaping as the Super Eagles’ must-win clash against Rwanda.

The next 24 hours could go a long way in defining one of Africa’s most unpredictable qualification races.

Group C Permutations – If Lesotho v South Africa…

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By KUNLE SOLAJA, Rabat, Morocco.

On the eve of a high-stakes World Cup qualifier that could see Morocco become the first African team to book its place at the 2026 finals, the country unveiled another symbol of its sporting ambition: the transformed Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

.On Thursday evening, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presided over the inauguration of the stadium in Rabat, ushering in a new era for one of the kingdom’s most iconic arenas.

The timing was more than symbolic.

 As the Atlas Lions prepared to face Niger Republic, their home ground was revealed as an architectural gem befitting a team now synonymous with African excellence on the world stage.

Once considered an enviable facility in African football, the stadium has now been reimagined into something far beyond its original form.

The old structure before the remodeling

The renovation, carried out under the directives of King Mohammed VI, aligns with Morocco’s preparations for two monumental events: the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2030, which Morocco will co-host.

The result is nothing short of spectacular. With a capacity of 68,700, the new Moulay Abdellah Stadium gleams with modernity, sustainability, and connectivity—principles that guided every detail of its reconstruction.

 The new Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium

Built entirely by Moroccan expertise, the arena now meets, and in some respects exceeds, the highest international standards.

Its most striking feature is Africa’s first hybrid natural lawn, a surface combining natural grass and synthetic fibres to guarantee durability, drainage, and rapid recovery while ensuring player safety.

The pitch represents not just technological progress, but Morocco’s determination to lead the continent in sporting infrastructure.

Beyond the playing field, the stadium offers 110 private boxes, five luxury lounges accommodating nearly 5,400 guests, and fully accessible facilities for people with reduced mobility.

 Three tiers of hospitality spaces ensure that fans of every stripe—from diehard supporters to VIP guests—will experience world-class comfort.

Journalists, too, have been considered. A large media centre equipped with the latest technical and logistical resources reflects Morocco’s understanding that modern sport thrives as much in storytelling as in spectacle.

The inauguration of Moulay Abdellah Stadium sends a clear message: Morocco is not only preparing for the future, it is setting the pace for it.

With AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2030 on the horizon, the kingdom is making sure its facilities reflect its growing stature in global football.

For the Atlas Lions, the hope is that the grandeur of their new home will inspire performances to match—starting with Friday’s clash against Niger Republic, where history beckons once again.

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Equatorial Guinea produced the day’s most dramatic turnaround, rallying from two goals down at half-time to beat São Tomé and Príncipe 3–2, as a busy window of CAF World Cup 2026 qualifiers delivered significant moves in Groups H, I, A and D.

Group H – São Tomé and Príncipe 2–3 Equatorial Guinea

São Tomé seemed in complete control after a relentless first half.

Lumungo converted from the spot on eight minutes and struck a second penalty on 42 minutes, either side of a finish from Reis Tavares Semedo (37’) to open up a 2–0 lead.

But Equatorial Guinea reset during the interval and came flying out. Pablo Ganet halved the deficit with a low strike on 53 minutes, Iban Salvador levelled nine minutes later, and the comeback was complete when Nabil tucked away the winner on 70 minutes after a sweeping move down the right.

The result lifts Equatorial Guinea to the edge of the runners-up race behind leaders Tunisia and second-placed Namibia, while São Tomé remain bottom without a point.

Group I – Madagascar 2–0 Central African Republic

Madagascar underlined their rapid progress with a controlled win that moves them firmly into the Group I argument.

Caddy broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time (45+2’) after a bright opening, and Randrianantenaina doubled the lead on 59 minutes, both goals arriving from incisive work by Raheriniaina, who was involved in the build-up to each.

The Barea were compact without the ball and managed the remainder without alarm.

Victory sends Madagascar to 13 points, tightening the chase on leaders Ghana (16) before the Black Stars host Mali (9) later in the window; Comoros (12) also remain firmly in the mix.

Group A – Guinea-Bissau 1–1 Sierra Leone

Guinea-Bissau salvaged a point after Sierra Leone took a late first-half lead. The Leone Stars went ahead on 45+1 minutes when K. Kamara finished off a quick transition, moments after J. Encada had been booked for the hosts.

The home side made three changes just past the hour and the pressure finally told as Mama Baldé equalised midway through the second period (listed at 73’), steering in after sustained pressure.

Both teams chased a late winner—Sierra Leone turned to Buya Turay and Fornah off the bench—but a draw keeps the Leone Stars at eight points and the Djurtus on seven, with Egypt (16) and Burkina Faso (11) still dictating the top of the section.

Group D – Angola 0–1 Libya; Mauritius 0–2 Cape Verde

Libya earned an eye-catching away win in Luanda, striking shortly after half-time. Ezo El Mariamy met a low cross to sweep in the decisive goal on 48 minutes, moments before Jaddour was booked as the visitors dug in.

Angola had introduced M’Bala Nzola and Maestro at the break and later pushed Fortuna and Clinton Mata higher up the pitch, but clear chances were scarce against Libya’s disciplined block.

A late yellow card for Saleh (90+7’) underlined the intensity as Libya protected a precious three points that keep them in touch with the top two.

Elsewhere in the group, Cape Verde negotiated a potentially awkward trip to Mauritius, winning 2–0 to maintain control of the pool ahead of a looming top-of-the-table meeting with Cameroon.

The Blue Sharks’ result, coupled with Libya’s victory, tightens the race for the play-off picture behind the frontrunners.

What it means

• Group H: Equatorial Guinea’s comeback lifts them to 10 points, a timely jolt to their campaign behind Tunisia (16) and Namibia (12).
• Group I: Madagascar move to 13 points and sits between Ghana (16) and Comoros (12), with Mali (9) still dangerous.
• Group A: Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone share the points; Egypt and Burkina Faso retain a healthy cushion at the summit.
• Group D: Cape Verde stay out in front after victory in Mauritius, while Libya’s win in Angola keeps their challenge alive.

With another matchday to come in this window, fine margins—particularly among the runners-up—could yet decide who remains on course for North America.

-CAFonline

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