Recap: Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – 08 October 2025

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Oct 08, 2025. 22:57

AfricanFootball.com brings you LIVE updates from Matchday 9 and 10 of the continent’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Wednesday 8 October features no less than 11 matches across Africa, headlined by Ghana, Egypt and Cape Verde potentially securing their tickets to the World Cup.

All times CAT.

LIVE UPDDATES:

That concludes our live coverage for Wednesday, join us on Thursday for more great action from around Africa!

22:55 – Full time in Ouagadougou, Niger 3-1 Congo. The Menas claim an emphatic victory and leapfrog into second place in Group E ahead of Tanzania. Congo scored a late consolation via Deo Bassinga.

22:54 – Full time in Zanzibar City, Tanzania 0-1 Zambia. Chipolopolo (fourth) claim a smash-and-grab win over the Taifa Stars (third) and close to within a point of their opponents on the Group E log.

22:34 – GOAL! Tanzania 0-1 Zambia. Fashion Sakala nets a sucker-punch strike, as Chipolopolo score against the run of play!

22:30 – Less than 20 minutes of regulation time left in Zanzibar City, where it remains Tanzania 0-0 Zambia.

22:28 – GOAL! Niger 3-0 Congo. Victorien Adebayor nets midway through the second half to put Niger further in charge.

22:11 – GOAL! Niger 2-0 Congo. The Menas double their advantage in Ouagadougou, with Youssef Oumarou netting four minutes after the restart.

22:04 – We are back underway in the evening matches, with Niger leading Congo 1-0, while Tanzania and Zambia are at a stalemate.

21:50 – Daniel Sosah scored the goal for Niger in Ouagadougou. As things stand, the Menas will leapfrog to second place in Group E.

21:49 – Half time in Zanzibar City, Tanzania 0-0 Zambia.

21:49 – GOAL! Niger 1-0 Congo. The Menas claim the lead on the cusp of half time.

21:25 – Past the midway point of the first half in both Ouagadougou and Zanzibar City and it remains Niger 0-0 Congo, and Tanzania 0-0 Zambia.

The Taifa Stars and the Menas are scrapping over second place behind Morocco (who have already won the group and qualified for the World Cup), though given Eritrea’s withdrawal and the subsequent fewer points on offer, the runners-up in this group will not be ranked high enough to reach the playoffs.

21:00 – Our final two matches this Wednesday night are from Group E: Niger v Congo at 4 August Stadium in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Tanzania v Zambia at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar City.

20:57 – Niger v Congo line-ups:

Niger: M. Tanja, Y. Diori, R. Alhassane, O. Sako, A. Sabo, H. Adamou, Y. Oumarou, V. Adebayor, B. Goumey, D. Sosah, M. Pape

Congo: P. Ndinga, J. Kapaya, B. Itoua, C. Makosso, R, Etou, W. Nkaya, G. Nongo, D. Moussavou, M. Ndockyt, I. Loemba, D. Bassinga

20:52 – Tanzania v Zambia line-ups:

Tanzania: Y. Suleiman, K. Habibu, I. Hamad, C. M’Mombwa, P. Msindo, B. Mwamnyeto, I. Mwenda, Y. Omary, P. Peter, F. Salum, A. Suleiman

Zambia: T. Mulenga, O. Chisala, K. Chongo, P. Daka, K, Kampamba, K. Kangwa, K. Kapumbu, G. Mphande, L. Musonda, B. Sakala, F. Sakala

20:02 – Full time in Abidjan, Comoros 1-2 Madagascar. The Barea triumph, but will need a miracle on Sunday to overhaul Ghana at the top of Group I. However, they are looking good to be one of the top-ranked runners-up.

20:00 – Full time in N’Djamena, Chad 0-2 Mali. Kamory Doumbia’s brace see the Eagles to victory, they rise to third place in Group I.

19:57 – Full time in Paynesville, Sierra Leone 0-1 Burkina Faso. The Stallions secure second spot in Group A, and will be looking to be one of the top-ranked runners-up by defeating Ethiopia on Sunday.

19:54 – Full time in Casablanca, Djibouti 0-3 Egypt. The Pharaohs have secured their ticket to the 2026 World Cup as winners of Group A! It will be their fourth appearance, adding to 1934, 1990 and 2018.

Full time in El Jadida, Central African Republic 0-5 Ghana. The Black Stars have all but secured qualification – they need only avoid defeat at home to Comoros on Sunday in Accra to punch their ticket.

19:49 – GOAL Comoros 1-2 Madagascar. The ‘hosts’ have one back in Abidjan, with Rafiki Said striking in the 82nd minute.

19:47 – GOAL! CAR 0-5 Ghana. Substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana scores his first senior international goal!

19:40 – GOAL! Chad 0-2 Mali. The Eagles double their lead in N’Djamena, with Kamory Doumbia completing a brace.

19:39 – GOAL! Comoros 0-2 Madagascar. The Barea claim a second goal in Abidjan, with El Hadary Raheriniaina scoring in the 73rd minute.

19:31 – GOAL! CAR 0-4 Ghana. It’s turning into a rout in El Jadida, as Jordan Ayew volleys home to bring up the Black Stars’ fourth goal.

19:28 – GOAL! CAR 0-3 Ghana. Alex Djiku heads home from Jordan Ayew’s corner kick and the Black Stars effectively seal the three points.

19:25 – Past the hour mark across the early evening matches. As things stand, Egypt will secure qualification, while Ghana will put themselves within touching distance of a trip to North America in 2026.

19:12 – GOAL! CAR 0-2 Ghana. The Black Stars open up some daylight as Thomas Partey strikes in the 52nd minute.

19:05 – We’re back underway in El Jadida and Casablanca for CAR v Ghana and Djibouti v Egypt.

18:56 – GOAL! Chad 0-1 Mali. The Eagles lead at half time in N’Djamena via Kamory Doumbia.

18:51 – Half time in Abidjan and Paynesville where the respective scores are Comoros 0-1 Madagascar, and Sierra Leone 0-1 Burkina Faso.

18:48 – Half time in El Jadida, Central Africa 0-1 Ghana. The Black Stars are doing their part, but qualification this evening won’t happen unless Comoros get back in the game against Madagascar.

18:47 – Half time in Casablanca, Djibouti 0-2 Egypt. The Pharaohs are well on course to secure qualification today thanks to goals from Adel and Salah.

18:45 – GOAL! Sierra Leone 0-1 Burkina Faso. The Stallions lead late in the first half in Paynesville.

18:36 – Less than 10 minutes of regulation time left in the first halves in El Jadida and Casablanca, where Ghana leads CAR 1-0 and Egypt is dominating Djibouti 2-0 respectively.

18:23 – GOAL! CAR 0-1 Ghana. Salisu Mohamed powers home a header from a Mohammed Kudus corner and the Black Stars lead in El Jadida!

18:16 – GOAL! Djibouti 0-2 Egypt. Mohamed Salah scores for the Pharaohs, who are firmly in control in Casablanca.

18:14 – GOAL! Comoros 0-1 Madagascar. The Barea lead in Abidjan, with Clement Couturier netting in the 11th minute.

18:10 – GOAL! Djibouti 0-1 Egypt. The Pharaohs are up and running in Casablanca, with Ibrahim Adel opening the scoring in the eighth minute.

18:09 – Comoros v Madagascar line-ups:

Comoros: S. Ben Boina, S. Bakari, K. Toibibou, K. M’Dahoma, I. Boura, I. Mohamed, F. Selemani, Z. Youssouf, Y. M’Changama, R. Said, M. Maolida

Madagascar: G. Dupire, R. Rabemanantsoa, S. Tremoulet, E. Kari, M. Jean-Pierre, R. Raveloson, M. Ilaimaharitra, C. Couturier, E. Rageriniania, W. Caddy, A. Randrianantenaina

18:05 – Chad v Mali line-ups:

Chad: J. Mbaynasssem, C. Tchouplaou, L. Kouma, M. Thiam, W. Daikreo, W. Damba, D. Michael, F. Tchaouna, H. Tchaouna, Fy. Tchaouna, C. Echua

Mali: M. Samassa, M. Fofana, A. Dante, M. Camara, A. Diaby, A. Dieng, F. Doucoure, K. Doumbia, M. Sangare, G. Diarra, D. Nene

18:04 – Central African Republic v Ghana line-ups:

CAR: D. Youfeigane, F. Yangao, C. Basse, F. Miambaye, B. Pirioua, K. Namnganda, V. Baboula, P. Namsona, G. Oualengbe, E. Grothe, H. Gambor

Ghana: B. Asare, C. Yirenkyi, T. Partey, M. Salisu, A. Issahaku, K. Sibo, J. Ayew, A. Semenyo, G. Mensah, M. Kudus, A. Djiku

18:00 – The early evening matches focus on heavyweights Ghana and Egypt, both playing in neutral Morocco. The Black Stars are away to Central African Republic in El Jadida for a Group I clash, while Egypt face Group A rivals Djibouti in Casablanca.

For Egypt, the equation is simple: a win will guarantee top spot and secure a ticket to the World Cup. A draw will also be enough if Burkina Faso don’t win a concurrent match away to Sierra Leone in neutral Paynesville (Liberia).

Ghana’s situation is a little more complex: they need to defeat CAR and hope that second-placed Madagascar don’t win away to Comoros in neutral Abidjan (Ivory Coast). The third Group I match comes from N’Djamena, where Chad host Mali.

17:58 – Djibouti v Egypt line-ups:

Djibouti: O. Mahamoud, S. Yabe, A. Farada, H. Idriss, A. Pohe Tokpa, W. Hassan, A. Abdi, O. Daher, M. Mahamed, A. Omar, M. Wais

Egypt: M. El Shenawy, M. Hany, R. Rabia, M. Hamdi, Zizo, H. Fathy, M. Ateya, M. Salah, Trezeguet, I. Adel, M. Mohamed

17:53 – Sierra Leone v Burkina Faso line-ups:

S Leone: A. Sesay, N, Jalloh, A. Turay, J. Bah, S. Tarawallie, A. Kargbo, S. Fofanah, A. Dumbuya, E. Samadia, M. Kamara, K. Kamara

B Faso: K. Nikiema, I. Kabore, E. Tapsoba, I. Dayo, A. Ayinde, I. Ouedraogo, Da. Ouattara, I. Toure, M. Zougrana, M. Konate, B. Traore

17:04 – Full time in Tripoli, Libya 3-3 Cape Verde. A thrilling clash between the Mediterranean Knights and Blue Sharks! Cape Verde couldn’t quite complete the comeback to win and secure qualification today, but they are firm favourites to get the job done when they host Eswatini on Monday.

17:02 – Full time in Saint Pierre, Mauritius 0-2 Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions claim a crucial victory, closing to within two points of Cape Verde at the top of Group D – though it seems that the playoffs for the top-ranked runners-up is now their likeliest path to 2026.

16:57 – GOAL! Mauritius 0-2 Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions make the game safe in Saint Pierre, with Bryan Mbeumo netting in injury time.

16:55 – Full time in Kigali, Ethiopia 1-0 Guinea-Bissau. The Wayla Antelopes claim a second win in Group A but remain fifth, one point behind their opponents.

16:55 – Full time in Lobamba, Eswatini 2-2 Angola. An entertaining clash ends all square, with Eswatini remaining bottom of Group D, while Angola are fourth.

16:50 – Willy Semedo scored the goal for Cape Verde, who need just one more to win the game and book a ticket to the World Cup with a game to spare!

16:49 – GOAL! Libya 3-3 Cape Verde. Epic stuff from the Blue Sharks in Tripoli, as they claw back to 3-3 with an equaliser in the 82nd minute!

16:44 – GOAL! Libya 3-2 Cape Verde. The Blue Sharks aren’t going down without a fight, as Sidny Cabral nets in Tripoli to halve the deficit!

16:40 – GOAL! Eswatini 2-2 Angola. The Palancas Negras have come from two down to level the game, with Papel Ary heading home in the 80th minute.

16:38 – We’re into the final 20 minutes of regulation time across the afternoon matches. As things stand, Group D will see Cape Verde leading Cameroon by just one point, with Libya just one point further back in third.

16:29 – GOAL! Eswatini 2-1 Angola. The Palancas Negras pull a goal back in Lobamba, with Jonathan Buatu finding the back of the net.

16:26 – Mahmoud Al Ahalwi netted the goal for Libya, who are on course to revive their World Cup hopes!

16:25 – GOAL! Libya 3-1 Cape Verde. The Mediterranean Knights open up a two-goal advantage in Tripoli just before the hour mark!

16:23 – Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu struck in the 57th minute for Cameroon. As things stand, the Indomitable Lions will close to within one point of Cape Verde at the top of Group D.

16:21 – GOAL! Mauritius 0-1 Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions claim the lead in Saint Pierre!

16:15 – GOAL! Eswatini 2-0 Angola. Justice Figuareido scores again and the hosts go two clear in Lobamba!

16:12 – We’ve resumed hostilities in Tripoli and Saint Pierre for Libya 2-1 Cape Verde, and Mauritius 0-0 Cameroon. Automatic qualification from Group D hangs in the balance…

16:08 – GOAL! Eswatini 1-0 Angola. The hosts break the deadlock in Lobamba, with Justice Figuareido netting for Sihlangu Semnikati.

16:06 – The second half gets going in Kigali for Ethiopia 1-0 Guinea-Bissau.

16:05 – Back underway in Lobamba for Eswatini 0-0 Angola.

15:53 – Half time in Saint Pierre and it’s Mauritius holding Cameroon 0-0.

The Indomitable Lions will need to up their game in the second stanza if they are to take advantage of the favour Libya are doing them in Tripoli.

15:49 – Half time in Kigali, where Ethiopia lead Guinea-Bissau 1-0.

15:49 – Ezoo El Mariamy has struck in the 42nd minute to put the North Africans 2-1 up.

15:48 – GOAL! Libya 2-1 Cape Verde. The Mediterranean Knights reclaim the ascendancy in Tripoli!

15:47 – Half time in Lobamba, where it’s Eswatini 0-0 Angola.

15:42 – Telmo Arcanjo netted the equaliser for Cape Verde. As things stand in Group D, the Blue Sharks will secure qualification.

15:36 – GOAL! Libya 1-1 Cape Verde. The Blue Sharks fight back in Tripoli, with an equalising goal on the half-hour mark.

15:30 – Goal! Ethiopia 1-0 Guinea-Bissau. Ramkel James heads Ethiopia into the lead in Kigali.

15:25 – It remains 1-0 to Libya over Cape Verde, while Eswatini v Angola, Ethiopia v Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritius v Cameroon are all goalless in the first half.

15:11 – It’s an own goal from Cape Verde’s Roberto Lopes that sees Libya 1-0 up in Tripoli.

15:10 – Libya v Cape Verde line-ups:

Libya: M. Wuheeshi, M. Al Hbeishi, A. Youssef, M. Al Shalwi, M. Eisay, M. Eito, E. El Mariamy, S. Jaddour, F. Mansour, A. Okashah, A. Saleh

Cape Verde: Vozinha, T. Arcanjo, D. Borges, H. Tavares, Joao Paulo, K. Lenini, R. Lopes, J. Monteiro, S. Moreira, D. Livramento, Y. Semedo

15:08 – GOAL! Libya 1-0 Cape Verde. An immediate blow for the Blue Sharks, as the hosts claim an early lead in Tripoli!

15:07 – Ethiopia v Guinea-Bissau line-ups:

Ethiopia: F. Getahun, A. Biniam, B. Desta, W. Gezahegn, C. Gugsa, R. James, K. Kebede, A. Reshid, H. Sherefa, B. Wolde, A. Yesouf

Guinea-Bissau: M. Balde, E. Balde, Beto, P. Camara, F. Cande, S. Mane, Nanu, R. Nhaga, Nito, M. Rodrigues, M. Sanca

15:05 – Kick-off. We are underway across the 3pm matches.

In Group D, Mauritius and Cameroon meet at the Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in Saint Pierre; Libya host Cape Verde at the Tripoli International Stadium; and Angola visit Eswatini at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.

All eyes will be on the Blue Sharks in Tripoli, as a win over the Mediterranean Knights will secure their first ever qualification to the World Cup.

Elsewhere, a Group A match in neutral Kigali pits Ethiopia against Guinea-Bissau at the Amahoro Stadium.

15:01 – Eswatini v Angola line-ups:

Eswatini: M. Makhanya, N. Shongwe, M. Mkhontfo, J. Figuareido, B. Nozabandzaba, J. Magagula, P. Mkhontfo, S. Mabilisa, G. Gamedze, L. Mkhonta, S. Masangane

Angola: A. Da Cruz, A. Hossi, J. Buatu, D. Carmo, J. Felicio, A. Carnero, B. Manuel, B. Mukendi, A. Ribeiro, Z. Luvombo, C. Paciencia

14:25 – Mauritius v Cameroon line-ups:

Mauritius: D. Chiotti, Y. Aristide, A. Arthee, K. Bru, G. Caliste, D. Collard, R. Latouchent, W. Mootoo, L. Rose, J. Villeneuve, E. Vincent

Cameroon: A. Onana, A. Avom, C. Baleba, E. Choupo-Moting, Et. Eyong, N. Ngamaleu, G. N’Koudou, M. Nagida, M. Ngadeu, T. Nouhou, J. Tchatchoua