Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored twice to help Egypt beat Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The 33-year-old has now netted nine times in a marathon qualifying campaign that began two years ago, and victory for Egypt gave them an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A.

Twice African Footballer of the Year, Salah helped Liverpool win the Premier League a record-equalling 20th time last season, and captured the Golden Boot award with 29 goals.

But the Egypt captain has lost his spark with Liverpool this season, scoring just three goals in nine matches in all competitions.

After Ibrahim Adel put Egypt ahead on eight minutes against opponents 158 places lower in the world rankings, Salah netted six minutes later and again on 84 minutes.

READ ALSO:Nigeria Vs Lesotho: What Super Eagles Must Do To Qualify For 2026 World Cup

While Egypt have won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times, they have been less successful in the World Cup, qualifying just four times in 15 attempts — in 1934, 1990, 2018 and now 2026.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was among the goals as Ghana trounced the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes, and need one point from their final Group I match at home to Comoros to qualify.

Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, captain Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana were the other scorers for the Black Stars, who led 1-0 at half-time.

Ghana have 22 points and a vastly superior goal difference than Madagascar, who are three points behind. Mali, seeded to win the group, are out of contention with 15 points.

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Cape Verde came from two goals behind in Tripoli to draw 3-3 with Libya and edge closer to a first World Cup appearance.

The island nation of about 550,000 inhabitants off the coast of Senegal will clinch first place in Group D if they defeat Eswatini in Praia on Monday.

Known as the Blue Sharks, the Cape Verdeans are two points ahead of Cameroon, who beat Mauritius 2-0 in Saint-Pierre with Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo scoring.

Cape Verde have 20 points after nine rounds, two more than Cameroon, the eight World Cup appearances in an African team.

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– Disastrous start –

Roberto Lopes, a defender with Republic of Ireland club Shamrock Rovers, conceded a first-minute own goal as Cape Verde made a disastrous start.

Telmo Arcanjo levelled for the islanders before goals either side of half-time from Ezoo el Mariamy and Mahmoud al Shalwi gave the Mediterranean Knights a 3-1 lead.

Sidny Cabral reduced the deficit and Willy Semedo equalised on 82 minutes to set up a tense finish as Cape Verde sought a fourth goal and qualification.

A match-winner did not materialise, but they will be expected to beat Eswatini, who remained winless in the group after surrendering a two-goal advantage in a 2-2 draw with Angola in Lobamba.

READ ALSO:W’Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles Edge Rwanda 1-0 To Revive Qualification Hopes

Cameroon had to secure maximum points in Mauritius to keep alive their hopes of overtaking Cape Verde, but needed 92 minutes to ensure success.

Dynamo Moscow midfielder Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu put the Indomitable Lions ahead on 57 minutes and Mbeumo struck in added time with his fourth goal of the qualifying campaign.

Cameroon complete their schedule at home to Angola in Yaounde and must win to have any hope of automatic qualification.

Should Cape Verde come first, Cameroon would hope to finish among the four best-ranked runners-up and qualify for play-offs in November.

READ ALSO:W’Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles Edge Rwanda 1-0 To Revive Qualification Hopes

The winners of the African mini-tournament, comprising single-match semi-finals and a final, advance to six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup places up for grabs.

Eswatini looked set to end an eight-match winless run in the mini-league when South Africa-based Justice Figuareido pounced on long passes to score twice in the second half.

Angola, with French coach Patrice Beaumelle in charge for the first time after the sacking of Portuguese Pedro Goncalves, halved the deficit through Jonathan Buatu.

Then, slack Eswatini marking at a corner enabled Papel Ary to head the equaliser with 10 minutes of regular time remaining.
AFP

The Super Eagles of Nigeria face a win-or-bust clash against the Crocodiles of Lesotho on Matchday 9 of the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria were handed a lifeline following FIFA’s decision to dock South Africa three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their qualifier against Lesotho.

The ruling has reshaped the complexion of Group C and reignited Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, while the development favours the Super Eagles, the race to qualify for the World Cup rests on the team getting maximum points in the last two games, and hope South Africa drops points in their fixtures.

READ ALSO: Group Throws Weight Behind Benin Monarch’s Decision On Iyaloja

After the reshuffle, Benin Republic now tops the group with 14 points and a +4 goal difference. South Africa sit second, also on 14 points but with a +2 goal difference. Nigeria remain third with 11 points and a +2 goal difference, followed closely by Rwanda, who have 11 points and a 0 goal difference.

With two matches left, away to Lesotho and at home to Benin Republic, the path to qualification is narrow but still open. Here’s what Nigeria must do to keep their World Cup dream alive.

Lesotho, though second-bottom of the group, have proven stubborn opponents. They famously held Nigeria to a 1–1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on November 16, 2023.

Nigeria must avoid defeat against Lesotho on Friday, as a loss would automatically end hopes of reaching the World Cup. However, a win, and a convincing one, will keep the team firmly in contention ahead of the decisive final game against Benin Republic, which could ultimately be a winner-takes-all showdown.
(VANGUARD)

The Edo State Sports Commission has outlined the remarkable strides achieved under the purposeful and dynamic leadership of His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebbholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State with Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele, on the driver’s seat since he was appointed to assume office on December 18, 2024.

In less than a year, Enabulele has driven transformative reforms, strengthened grassroots development, and re-established Edo as a dominant force in Nigerian sports — all in line with the visionary sports agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Focused investments in grassroots talent have produced record-breaking results. At the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Team Edo finished among the top performers, securing an unprecedented 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals — the best in the state’s history. Enabulele attributed the success to Governor Okpebholo’s steadfast commitment to athlete welfare and sports advancement.

Edo also impressed at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, finishing third overall with 89 medals (23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze). At the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Edo athletes recorded a massive 302-medal haul — 76 gold, 101 silver, and 125 bronze.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Poised To Surpassing People’s Expectations — Edo Deputy Gov

Several Edo Queens FC players have continued to fly the state’s flag internationally. Seven players — Oscar Precious, Hunu Adeshina, Adegbemile Rebecca, Uzoma Ijeoma, Esther Inyang, Moses Chioma, and Kafayat Mafisere — earned national call-ups to the U-20 Super Falconets. Similarly, five female rugby players — Abba Chinaza, Precious Ukwuoma, Success Iyoha, Becky Okitikpe, and Vera Akhihero — were invited to Nigeria’s national camp ahead of the World Rugby League Series in Canada (October 17–27).

Through Enabulele’s unwavering support, Team Edo’s deaf athletes shone at the West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship in Abuja, where Deborah Ighawuanre won two gold medals, while Victory Odokara, Okpaise Nathaniel Jr., and Assurance Omoria picked multiple medals in sprint events.

Edo’s para-athletes also made their mark. Seventeen-year-old Ojieabu Favour Omo won six medals at the African Para-Cycling Track Championship in Cairo, alongside gold medalists Osaretin Godwin Grace and Divine Ogbe.

Team Edo maintained dominance across other competitions:

Para-Powerlifting & Karate Tournaments (Abuja): Five Edo athletes broke national and world records, including Tolulope Ogundolie (45kg) and Esther Oyema (55kg).

READ ALSO:Enabulele Applauds Team Edo Deaf Athletes For Performance At W’Africa Championship

South-South Senior Badminton Championship (Asaba): Team Edo emerged overall best, led by Promise James Ekong’s double-gold performance.

CNS Swimming Championship (Asaba): Edo swimmers bagged 31 medals, with standout performances from Precious Tissa and relay stars Forcados Funfumimi, Christian Obomanu, Solid Government, and Victor Uruonah.

The Commission also launched the Under-17 Chess Tournament to discover and nurture young intellectual talents across the state.

At the National Hauxing Wushu Kung Fu Championship in Lagos, Edo athletes clinched 7 gold, 7 silver, and 6 bronze medals. Top performers included Kelly Alonge (2 gold), Osayande Osatahawen (1 gold), Destiny Obasi (1 gold), Joshua Emokpae (1 gold, 1 bronze), Onaifo Godwin (1 gold, 1 bronze), Osawoname Ohangbon (1 gold, 1 bronze), and Omokaro Iredia (1 silver, 1 bronze).

READ ALSO:Edo Commits To Sports Development, Grassroots Talent Discovery – Enabulele

Edo also successfully hosted the South-South Zonal Eliminations for the National Sports Festival, earning commendations from the National Sports Commission for professionalism and organisation.

Edo Queens’ continued dominance as WAFU B Champions remains a model for Nigerian women’s football. Despite losing several players to international clubs, the team maintained top form under Governor Okpebholo’s supportive leadership.

Hon. Enabulele also celebrated Coach Moses Opuamowei Aduku, who led the Super Falconets to victory in their second-round qualifiers, describing his success as proof of Edo’s investment in coaching excellence.

The Commission has deepened partnerships linking education with sports development. The Governor’s Cup, backed by Governor Okpebholo, produced champions from Ogbe Secondary School (male category) and Idia College (female category), both of whom were rewarded with brand new buses.

READ ALSO:Priotize Okpebholo’s ‘Catch Them Young’ Initiative, Enabulele Charges Sports Association Chairmen

Facility upgrades are ongoing to meet international standards, while the proposed Edo Indoor Cricket Complex, presented by the Edo State Cricket Association, highlights the administration’s commitment to sports infrastructure.

Under Enabulele’s watch, Edo has hosted several national tournaments, including the EKUS Judo Championship, Ardova PLC Handball Premier League, and the NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball Premier League, cementing its status as Nigeria’s true sporting hub.

On the global stage, Hon. Enabulele lauded Bolade Bezi for setting a new Guinness World Record with a 57-hour, 10-minute E-Sports marathon on God of War, adding a digital dimension to Edo’s sporting legacy.

He also received a letter of appreciation from the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) to Governor Okpebholo for Edo’s vital support during the 2025 All Africa AirBadminton Tournament in Ghana, where Team Nigeria won two silver and four bronze medals, qualifying for the World Cup in Sharjah, UAE (December 11–14, 2025).

Sustaining this winning momentum through constant engagement with association chairmen, coaches, athletes, and stakeholders, Enabulele has firmly placed Edo State on the path to a lasting sports revolution.

According to him, “Our mission is clear — to make Edo State the model for sports governance and athlete development in Nigeria. With the unwavering support of His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, we will sustain this momentum and achieve even greater feats.”