Nigeria’s aspirations for the 2026 World Cup encountered a setback with a 2-1 defeat against Benin. This unexpected loss occurred on Monday, as Nigeria struggled to maintain their lead after Raphael Onyedika’s 27th-minute goal.
Benin, forced to play in Abidjan due to stadium issues in Cotonou, made a remarkable comeback with goals from Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie.
Dossou’s goal, although impressive, resulted in a hamstring injury, while Mounie capitalized on poor Nigerian defense to seal the victory.
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In Kumasi, Ghana managed to turn the tables against the Central African Republic, securing a thrilling 4-3 win. Trailing 2-1 at halftime, Jordan Ayew emerged as the hero with a hat-trick, propelling Ghana to the top of Group I.
The victory was a significant boost following their recent away win in Mali, where Ayew also played a crucial role by scoring a late winner. The match in Kumasi was marked by heavy rain, but the Ghanaian team’s resilience and Ayew’s exceptional performance made the difference.
Algeria demonstrated impressive resilience in their qualifier against Uganda. Initially down 1-0 in Kampala, Algeria turned the game around in the second half. Goals from Houssem Aouar and Said Benrahma secured a 2-1 victory, restoring Algeria to the top of Group G.
This win was vital as it followed Guinea’s loss to Mozambique, who scored a last-minute penalty, thus joining Algeria with nine points in the group standings.
Egypt faced a challenging match against Guinea Bissau, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Mohamed Salah rescued Egypt with a sensational equalizer, ensuring they maintained their four-point lead in Group A.
Despite not securing a win, Egypt’s position remains strong as they continue their campaign for World Cup qualification. As the fourth round of group matches concludes, more African qualifiers are set to take place on Tuesday.
Only the winners of the nine groups qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with the best runner-up having a chance through a playoff system. The competition remains fierce as teams vie for the coveted spots.
