CASABLANCA, Oct 8 — Mohamed Salah struck twice as Egypt eased past Djibouti 3–0 on Wednesday to seal qualification for the 2026 World Cup, capping a campaign in which the captain has now scored nine times.
Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring inside eight minutes against opponents ranked 158 places lower, before Salah added a quick second and wrapped up the win with an 84th-minute finish. The result gives Egypt an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A.
Salah, 33, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, helped Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th English league title last season and took the Premier League Golden Boot with 29 goals. His club form has dipped this term—three goals in nine appearances across competitions—but he remains decisive for the Pharaohs. Egypt, seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, have now qualified for the World Cup for the fifth time after appearances in 1934, 1990 and 2018.
Ghana one point away
In Meknes, former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was among the scorers as Ghana thumped the Central African Republic 5–0. Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, captain Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana also found the net for the Black Stars, who led 1–0 at the break. Ghana top Group I on 22 points, with a superior goal difference to Madagascar (19). Mali, seeded to win the group, are out of contention on 15. Chris Hughton’s side need just a draw at home to Comoros in their final match to clinch a place in North America.
Cape Verde rally to keep destiny in sight
Cape Verde battled back from 3–1 down to draw 3–3 with Libya in Tripoli, edging closer to a debut World Cup. Roberto Lopes’ first-minute own goal set a disastrous tone for the Blue Sharks, but Telmo Arcanjo levelled before Ezoo el Mariamy and Mahmoud al-Shalwi put Libya clear either side of half-time. Sidny Cabral pulled one back and Willy Semedo equalised on 82 minutes to earn a point.
With 20 points after nine rounds—two more than Cameroon—Cape Verde will secure Group D if they beat Eswatini in Praia on Monday. Eswatini remain winless after letting a two-goal lead slip in a 2–2 draw with Angola in Lobamba.
Cameroon keep chase alive
Cameroon did what they had to in Saint-Pierre, edging Mauritius 2–0 to maintain pressure on Cape Verde. Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu broke the deadlock on 57 minutes and Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo added a stoppage-time second, his fourth of the qualifiers. The Indomitable Lions host Angola in Yaoundé next and likely must win to retain hopes of automatic qualification. If Cape Verde finish top, Cameroon will seek a route via the play-offs for the best four runners-up in November. The play-off winner advances to next March’s inter-continental finals, where two African slots are available.
Late drama elsewhere
Eswatini looked set to snap an eight-match winless run when South Africa-based Justice Figuareido netted twice from long passes in the second half. Angola, in their first match under French coach Patrice Beaumelle, hit back through Jonathan Buatu before poor marking at a corner allowed Papel Ary to head the equaliser with 10 minutes left.
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