Sports
FULL FIXTURES: Egypt, Sudan, Morocco Lead As African World Cup Race Intensifies
Published
5 months agoon
By
Editor
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.
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
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.
READ ALSO: Chelsea Beat Man City To Win Women’s League Cup
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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):
Matchday 5
March 19, Wednesday
Group D: Eswatini v Cameroon; Group H: Liberia v Tunisia; Group I: Central African Republic v Madagascar (all 1600)
March 20, Thursday
READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Plymouth Handed Man City Tie In FA Cup Fifth Round
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)
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
Group B: Togo v Mauritania (1600), Sudan v Senegal (1900)
Matchday 6
March 23, Sunday
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)
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).
You may like
Nigeria Crash Out Of FIBA U19 World Cup
Club World Cup 2025: 8 Teams Qualify For Round Of 16
AFCON U-20: Nigeria Beat Hosts Egypt 4-1 In Shootout To Win Bronze
Flamingos Coach Unveils Squad For 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup [Full List]
Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium To Host Opening Match Of 2026 World Cup
New York To Host 2026 FIFA World Cup Final
Sports
Transfer: Atalanta Hold Lookman Back From Inter Milan Move
Published
13 hours agoon
August 1, 2025By
Editor
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has again told his Italian side, Atalanta, about his desire to leave this summer.
The camp of the Super Eagles’ forward conveyed the player’s decision to the club on Tuesday after Inter presented a written proposal of €42m plus €3m add-ons.
Atalanta are insisting on €50m valuation for the Nigerian international and there is no green light to the move as of now, according to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.
READ ALSO:Inter Milan Give Deadline For Ademola Lookman Deal, With Transfer On Verge Of Collapse
Meanwhile, as earlier reported, Lookman’s international teammate, Victor Osimhen will land in Istanbul on Wednesday with medical scheduled for Thursday at Galatasaray.
Meanwhile, Álvaro Morata has been waiting for Osimhen’s arrival so as to leave the club and did not train with the team on Tuesday. The Spaniard wants to join Italian side, Como.
Ronano reports that Morata has no intention to stay at Galatasaray and is only keen on the Como move.
Sports
‘She Has Placed Edo On Global E-Sports Map’ – Enabulele Celebrates Bezi On New GWR Feat
Published
5 days agoon
July 28, 2025By
Editor
Edo State Sports Commission has applauded Bolade Bezi for her remarkable achievement in setting a new Guinness World Record in E-Sports.
Bezi completed an extraordinary marathon of 57 hours, 10 minutes, and 5 seconds playing the popular video game “God of War”.
The feat was officially recognized during a ceremony held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, expressed admiration for Bezi’s resilience and groundbreaking accomplishment.
In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele congratulated Bezi and praised her determination, focus, and passion for E-Sports.
READ ALSO: WAFCON Final: Super Falcons Produce Stunning Comeback To Defeat Morocco, Win 10th Title
“I must celebrate Bolade Bezi for her commitment and dedication to setting this new world record.
“Since the event commenced on Friday, she has demonstrated unwavering resilience and passion for E-Sports,” Enabulele said.
He noted that the officially recorded gameplay time was 49 hours, 0 minutes, and 14 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Peer Bresser and Jimmie Smets in Cologne, Germany, on November 8–9, 2017, which stood at 24 hours, 15 minutes.
“Bolade Bezi’s accomplishment in achieving the longest video game marathon in the hack-and-slash genre is truly commendable. She has not only shattered the previous record but also placed Edo State on the global E-Sports map,” he added.
READ ALSO: Edo Commits To Sports Development, Grassroots Talent Discovery – Enabulele
Enabulele emphasized that the milestone is a source of immense pride for Edo State and Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting youth engagement in constructive ventures like E-Sports, which he described as powerful tools for personal growth and social development.
“This achievement aligns perfectly with our vision to inspire and empower our youth, steering them away from social vices and toward meaningful pursuits. It reflects the aspirations of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for sports development in Edo State,” he stated.
READ ALSO: FRSC Lacks Power To Seize Drivers’ Licences, Vehicles, Court Rules
In her remarks, Bezi, a clinical physiologist, said her motivation for undertaking the intense marathon was to raise awareness about mental health, particularly depression and anxiety—two of the most widespread mental health issues today.
“This challenge was physically and mentally demanding. Sleep deprivation was the biggest obstacle, but I am grateful to God for making it possible. We are also using this platform to show that E-Sports is a viable and growing sport in Edo State,” she said.
Bezi expressed deep appreciation to Enabulele and the leadership of the Edo E-Sports Association, led by Ovebedaro Dean Bezi, for their unwavering support throughout her journey.
Sports
Inter Milan Give Deadline For Ademola Lookman Deal, With Transfer On Verge Of Collapse
Published
5 days agoon
July 28, 2025By
Editor
Inter Milan president, Giuseppe Marotta, has said this week will be “crucial” if they want to sign Ademola Lookman from Atalanta.
The Nerazurri are very keen on signing Lookman to bolster their attack this summer.
However, negotiations between the two Serie A clubs have not been progressing smoothly.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Chelle Drops Osimhen, Lookman From Super Eagles Squad To Play Ghana, Russia [Full list]
Marotta has now said in two or three days, they will try to get a deal done or move on to other transfer targets.
“This week will be crucial for Lookman deal,” Marotta said.
“We are in talks for Ademola Lookman, we want him but we also respect Atalanta.
“In 2-3 days we hope to proceed and be able to get the deal done otherwise we will move on and focus on other players.”
- Reminisce Unveils Release Date For His Eight Album
- My Wife Used To Slap Me, Lock Me In The Room, Man Tells Court
- My Husband Is Impotent, Woman Tells Court
- My Wife Denies Me Sex, Neglects Our Children —Husband
- ‘My Husband Became Hostile After Losing His Job, Brandished Cutlass At Me’
- Corporation For Public Broadcasting To Shut Down Following Trump’s Funding Cuts
- Anxiety As Trump Deploys US Nuclear Submarines Near Russia After ex-President’s Comment
- Immigration Issues Travel Advisory To Nigerians On US Visas
- Popular Nollywood Actress Dies
- Circumcision For Young Men Aged 16 To 26 Goes Awry In South Africa, 39 Dead, Dozens Organs Mutilated
Trending
- News5 days ago
Project ‘HOPE’: Investigate Ogbuku, NDDC Management, Ijaw Media Body Urges EFCC
- News5 days ago
FRSC Lacks Power To Seize Drivers’ Licences, Vehicles, Court Rules
- News4 days ago
JUST IN: Okpebholo Removes EDOFEWMA CEO, Appoints New Director
- Metro5 days ago
Armed Thugs Invade Stakeholders’ Summit In Edo, Beat Organiser To Pulp
- News4 days ago
JUST IN: Okpehbolo Suspends His Special Adviser On Oil And Gas
- Entertainment3 days ago
Reactions As 2Face Idibia Weds New Lover, Natasha Osawaru [VIDEO]
- News5 days ago
JUST IN: Tinubu Confers National Honours On Super Falcons
- Metro5 days ago
Bandits Kill 38 Hostages After Collecting N50m Ransom
- News4 days ago
5 Nigerian Universities That Don’t Require JAMB UTME For Admission
- Entertainment3 days ago
BBNaija 10: We Were Close To Having Sex – Isabella Breaks Down In Tears Over Love Interest, Kayikunmi