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FULL FIXTURES: Egypt, Sudan, Morocco Lead As African World Cup Race Intensifies

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As the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, African teams are gearing up for the crucial matchdays 5 and 6 of the qualifiers, set to kick off on Wednesday, March 19.

With nine group winners guaranteed automatic qualification for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and four best runners-up vying for a playoff spot, every match is set to be decisive.

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Group A: Egypt in Command

Egypt leads Group A with 10 points from four matches, ahead of Guinea-Bissau, who have six points. Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone trail closely with five points each, while Ethiopia (3 points) and Djibouti (1 point) remain at the bottom. Egypt, the most successful African team in World Cup history, will look to extend their lead when they face Ethiopia on March 21.

Group B: Tight Race Between Sudan and Senegal

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Sudan currently tops Group B with 10 points, followed closely by Senegal (8 points) and DR Congo (7 points). With a crucial fixture against reigning African champions Senegal on March 22, Sudan’s head coach remains optimistic. “We have worked hard to reach this point. Every match is like a final now,” he said. Meanwhile, Senegal’s head coach Aliou Cissé is confident his team will fight to reclaim the top spot.

Group C: Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin Tied on Points

Group C remains wide open with Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin all sitting on seven points. Nigeria, a team many expected to dominate, languishes in fifth place with just three points from four matches. Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro admitted his team’s struggles. “We need to be better. The players know the importance of these next games,” he said. Nigeria will face Rwanda on March 21 in a must-win encounter.

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Group D: Cameroon, Libya, and Cape Verde in Close Battle

Cameroon leads Group D with eight points, but Libya and Cape Verde are just one point behind. Angola (6 points) also remains in contention. The Indomitable Lions face Eswatini on March 19 and will then take on Libya on March 25 in a crucial fixture that could decide the group’s fate.

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Group E: Morocco Leads Despite Off-Field Disruptions

Morocco tops Group E with a perfect record of nine points from three games, despite the withdrawal of Eritrea and the suspension of Congo due to government interference. The impact of these developments on qualification rankings remains uncertain. Morocco’s next game is against Niger on March 21.

Group F: Ivory Coast Ahead, Gabon Close Behind

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Ivory Coast leads Group F with 10 points, closely followed by Gabon (9 points). Burundi (7 points) and Kenya (5 points) remain within reach. The Elephants will take on Burundi on March 21 before facing Gambia on March 24.

Group G: Algeria and Mozambique Neck-and-Neck

Algeria and Mozambique are tied at the top with nine points each, while Botswana, Guinea, and Uganda all have six points. Algeria’s upcoming match against Botswana on March 21 could prove decisive.

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READ ALSO: FA Cup Quarter-final: Bournemouth To Host Man City, Fulham To Play Palace [Full Draw]

Group H: Tunisia Eyes Qualification

Tunisia remains undefeated in Group H with 10 points, leading Namibia (8 points) and Liberia (7 points). Tunisia will face Liberia on March 19 before a crucial clash against Malawi on March 24. “We are taking nothing for granted. Every match is important,” Tunisian head coach Jalel Kadri stated.

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Group I: Comoros and Ghana in Strong Positions

Comoros and Ghana both sit on nine points in Group I, with Madagascar (7 points) and Mali (5 points) following closely. Ghana’s next fixture against Chad on March 21 is expected to be a key moment in their qualification campaign.

Best-Ranked Second-Placed Teams

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With only four runner-up teams advancing to a mini-tournament for intercontinental play-offs, Ghana, Gabon, Mozambique, and Senegal currently hold the top spots. Namibia and South Africa remain in contention, hoping for favourable results in the coming games.

Upcoming Fixtures

World Cup matchdays 5 and 6 qualifying fixtures in Africa (times GMT):

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Matchday 5

March 19, Wednesday

Group D: Eswatini v Cameroon; Group H: Liberia v Tunisia; Group I: Central African Republic v Madagascar (all 1600)

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March 20, Thursday

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Group A: Sierra Leone v Guinea-Bissau (1600); Group C: Zimbabwe v Benin (1600); Group D: Cape Verde v Mauritius (1600), Libya v Angola (1900); Group F: Gabon v Seychelles, Gambia v Kenya (both 1900); Group G: Mozambique v Uganda (1300); Group H: Malawi v Namibia (1600); Group I: Comoros v Mali (2100)

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March 21, Friday

Group A: Burkina Faso v Djibouti (1600), Ethiopia v Egypt (2100); Group B: Democratic Republic of Congo v South Sudan (1600); Group C: South Africa v Lesotho (1600), Rwanda v Nigeria (1600); Group E: Niger v Morocco (2130); Group F: Burundi v Ivory Coast (1900); Group G: Botswana v Algeria (1300), Guinea v Somalia (2100); Group H: Equatorial Guinea v Sao Tome e Principe (1300); Group I: Ghana v Chad (1900)

March 22, Saturday

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Group B: Togo v Mauritania (1600), Sudan v Senegal (1900)

Matchday 6

March 23, Sunday

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Group D: Eswatini v Mauritius; Group F: Kenya v Gabon (both 1300)

March 24, Monday

Group A: Guinea-Bissau v Burkina Faso (1600), Ethiopia v Djibouti (2100); Group F: Ivory Coast v Gambia (1900); Group H: Namibia v Equatorial Guinea (1300), Liberia v Sao Tome e Principe (1600), Tunisia v Malawi (2100); Group I: Central African Republic v Mali (1600), Madagascar v Ghana (1900)

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March 25, Tuesday

Group A: Egypt v Sierra Leone (1900); Group B: Sudan v South Sudan (1900), Mauritania v Democratic Republic of Congo (2100); Senegal v Togo (2100); Group C: Benin v South Africa, Nigeria v Zimbabwe, Rwanda v Lesotho (all 1600); Group D: Angola v Cape Verde (1600), Cameroon v Libya (1900); Group E: Morocco v Tanzania (2130); Group F: Burundi v Seychelles (1900); Group G: Botswana v Somalia (1300), Uganda v Guinea (1600), Algeria v Mozambique (2100); Group I: Comoros v Chad (2100).

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Pogba Signs For Monaco, Hoping To Revive Career

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Paul Pogba has signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco to return to football after a near two-year absence, the club announced on Saturday.

The 2018 World Cup winner has made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, an 18-month doping ban and an extortion case in which he was the victim.

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Pogba failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and has been free to return to football since March, although his contract at the Italian giants had been terminated last year.

The midfielder will now play club football in Ligue 1 for the first time in his professional career.

READ ALSO:Why I Hired A Witch Doctor – Paul Pogba

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I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it’s just a matter of time,” the 32-year-old told French television last weekend.

Pogba played in the Le Havre youth team before signing for Manchester United in 2009.

He made only a handful of first-team appearances for the three-time European champions before signing for Juventus in 2012.

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Pogba won four consecutive Serie A titles in Turin before rejoining United for a then-world record 105 million euros ($123 million).

READ ALSO:Transfer: Another Player Leaves Man United After Pogba

He moved back to Juventus three years ago but struggled with a series of injuries.

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In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros from Pogba in 2022.

Pogba has scored 11 goals in 91 appearances for the France national team, playing a starring role and scoring in their World Cup final victory over Croatia seven years ago.

His new club Monaco will play in the Champions League next season after finishing third in Ligue 1 last term.

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Chelsea Set To Offload Jackson, Madueke, 8 Others [See list]

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Chelsea are reportedly planning a major squad overhaul this summer, with as many as 10 players facing the exit door, according to The Athletic.

Among those who could be sold are Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku, as the club aims to raise funds for new signings and streamline their squad ahead of the new season.

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Also on the list of potential departures are Djordje Petrovic, Armando Broja, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka, and newly signed Renato Veiga.

READ ALSO:‘Peace Has Returned To Rivers’ — Wike, Fubara Speak After Meeting Tinubu

Many of these Chelsea players spent last season out on loan and may now be moved on permanently.

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The club’s transfer strategy is geared towards meeting key summer objectives, with player sales expected to provide the financial muscle needed to reinforce specific areas of the squad.

Chelsea have already made moves in the transfer market, including the €35.5 million acquisition of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

READ ALSO: Full List: Maresca No Longer Needs Nine Players At Chelsea

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His arrival could push Jackson further down the pecking order, with the striker now being considered for a potential sale.

One of the top targets for the Blues is Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who is seen as a potential replacement for Madueke on the wing.

While Chelsea are keen to trim their squad and raise funds, the departures of Jackson, Madueke, and Nkunku will largely depend on the calibre of offers they receive from interested clubs.

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As the Blues prepare for a demanding new season, the coming weeks could see a flurry of transfer activity at Stamford Bridge.

 

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Brighton Sign Super Falcons Goalkeeper Nnadozie From Paris FC

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Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of Nigerian international goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on a free transfer from Paris FC.

The 24-year-old will officially join the club on 1 July, following the expiration of her contract with the French side.

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Nnadozie brings a wealth of experience to the Seagulls, having earned 55 caps for Nigeria since making her senior debut in 2018.

READ ALSO:Everything You Need To Know About Éric Chelle: The New Head Coach Of The Super Eagles

She also boasts significant European pedigree, having featured in 16 UEFA Women’s Champions League matches for Paris FC between 2022 and 2025.

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Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic praised the new arrival, saying: “She’s a talented and commanding goalkeeper who will bring consistency and confidence to our defensive line.”

He added: “We’re confident she’ll add both depth and drive to a squad already full of ambition as we continue to build for next season.”

 

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