CAF World Cup Qualifiers: Cameroon Dominates, Late Drama for Ghana, and Ivory Coast Runs Riot in 9-0 Demolition

Cameroon had an electrifying start to their Confederation of African Football (CAF) World Cup qualifiers journey. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon commanded a 3-0 victory over Mauritius in their Group D opener. Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo ignited the scoring spectacle just before halftime, setting the stage for a triumphant performance by the Indomitable Lions.

Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Frank Magrid further solidified Cameroon’s dominance, sealing the win with their well-executed goals. The celebration was, however, dampened by Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana’s injury, which forced him to leave the field in the 81st minute and raised questions ahead of their upcoming match against Libya on Tuesday.

Late Drama as Ghana Secures 1-0 Win Over Madagascar

Inaki Williams emerged as the hero for Ghana, scoring an injury-time winner to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Madagascar in their first qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Black Stars, managed by Chris Hughton, faced stiff resistance from Melvin Adrien, the inspired goalkeeper for Madagascar, before Williams powered in a header from Gideon Mensah’s cross in the 96th minute.

Despite dominating the match, Ghana struggled to break the deadlock until the late heroics of Williams. The win positions Ghana in Group I, where they aim to build on their 2022 World Cup experience and secure another spot in the prestigious tournament.

Ivory Coast Runs Riot with 9-0 Demolition of Seychelles

Ivory Coast, the hosts of the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations, were strong on their attack in a one-sided Group F encounter, overwhelming the Seychelles with a resounding 9-0 victory in Abidjan. Premier League trio Ibrahim Sangare, Simon Adringa, and Hamed Traore all found the back of the net, contributing to the emphatic win.

Sebastien Haller, Ibrahim Sangare, Karim Konate, Hamed Traore, Simon Adringa, Seko Fofana, and Jean-Philippe Krasso all played pivotal roles in the goal fest, demonstrating the depth of talent within the Ivory Coast squad.

Mali, Zambia, and Tunisia Secure Victories

In other CAF World Cup Qualifiers fixtures on Friday, Mali, Zambia, and Tunisia emerged as victorious teams in their respective groups. Mali faced a tough challenge from Chad but secured a 3-1 win with goals from Kamory Doumbia, Youssoufou Niakate, and Ibrahima Sissoko.

Leicester City striker Patson Daka shone for Zambia, scoring twice as they came from behind to beat Congo 4-2 in their Group E fixture. Meanwhile, Tunisia enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win over Sao Tome e Principe at the start of their Group H campaign, with veteran forward Youssef Msakni among the goal scorers.

As the African nations embark on their journey to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the competition promises more thrilling encounters and moments of football brilliance.