World Cup
From 0–2 Down to 3–2 Glory: Equatorial Guinea Ignite World Cup Chase
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The following is a list of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
UNITED STATES
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Third place (1930)
MEXICO:
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
CANADA:
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Group stage (1986, 2022)
JAPAN
Qualified on March, 20.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
NEW ZEALAND
Qualified on March, 24.
Best performance: Group stage (1982, 2010)
IRAN
Qualified on March, 25.
Best performance: Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)
ARGENTINA
Qualified on March, 25.
Best performance: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)
UZBEKISTAN
Qualified on June, 5.
Best performance: Never previously qualified.
SOUTH KOREA
Qualified June, 5.
Best performance: Fourth place (2002)
JORDAN
Qualified June, 5.
Best performance: Never previously qualified.
AUSTRALIA
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2006, 2022)
BRAZIL
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
ECUADOR
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2006)
URUGUAY
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Winners (1930, 1950)
COLOMBIA
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2014)
PARAGUAY
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2010)
MOROCCO
Qualified September, 5.
Best performance: Semi-finals (2022)
TUNISIA
Qualified September, 8.
Best performance: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
EGYPT
Qualified October, 8.
Best performance: Round of 16 (1934)
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Egypt became the third African country to book a berth at next year’s World Cup finals with an easy 3-0 win over Djibouti in Casablanca on Wednesday that secured them top place in Group A with one game remaining.
Egypt, who have competed at three previous World Cups, join fellow north African nations Morocco and Tunisia at the 2026 tournament in North America.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Russia-based forward Olakunle Olusegun is still awaiting an entry visa to South Africa, creating the possibility that Nigeria may prosecute the encounter with only 21 available players.
Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle will have a total of 20 players available for Wednesday’s second training session, as the Super Eagles intensify preparations for the tie against the Crocodiles.
By Tuesday night, 18 players had checked into the team’s camp at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, with Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams expected to join on Wednesday. United States-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is due to arrive on Thursday.
Chelle has had to adjust his squad following injuries to Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers, prompting the late inclusion of Zaidu Sanusi and Christantus Uche of Crystal Palace. Earlier, a knock to wing-back Felix Agu had reduced the initial 23-man roster to 22.
Team captain William Ekong lacing his boots for training in Polokwane on Tuesday
Friday’s Matchday 9 fixture will kick off at 6pm South Africa time (5pm Nigeria time) at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, as the Super Eagles aim to strengthen their position in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race.
21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers
- World Cup6 days ago
Osimhen Returns as Chelle Names 23-Man Squad for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers