World Cup 2026: And Then There Were Two As Africana Qualifying Hots Up!

Mention African nations to me and the mind of this SBOTOP observer immediately conjures up happy football memories.

From the spirited showing of Morocco at 1986 in Mexico, the excitement of Roger Milla and Cameroon in 1990 in Italy, Nigeria’s thrilling road to the last 16 in America four years later right through to Senegal’s soiree in 2002 and Morocco’s marvels in Qatar – and I have probably forgotten some other fine achievements too.

My favourite by the way involved another (not African) minnow slaying the eventual champions but I’ll let you read about that here.

So as World Cup 2026 qualifier highlights hot up in Africa, it’s difficult not to get a bit excitable.

For those unsure of the current state of play, it’s probably a good place to start.

African teams were split into nine groups of six, with group winners automatically qualifying for next summer’s Stateside spectacle.

The group stage concluded last month with Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia sealing places at the tournament.

In addition, one nation will represent CAF (the Confederation of African Football) in the inter-confederation play-offs, with Nigeria, Gabon, DR Congo and Cameroon – the group stage’s four best second-placed teams – battling it out for that right.

Like the UEFA play-offs, the teams contest semi-finals with a final on Sunday before the victors move on to the inter-confederation play-offs – a six-team tournament where two qualifying berths are up for grabs.

But before we know the final line-up and begin to assess the World Cup qualifier 2025 betting odds in earnest, back to the here and now: two key semi-finals with Nigeria meeting Gabon and Cameroon facing DR Congo at the Moulay Hassan and Al Barid stadiums respectively in the Moroccan capital of Rabat.

Trying to keep alive their nation’s hopes of becoming the continent’s 10th representative at the World Cup, there was drama before a ball was even kicked.

In fact, just two days before their crucial World Cup qualifier, Nigeria players and technical staff boycotted training.

The protest related to unpaid allowances and match bonuses with reports suggesting the squad was requesting a special bonus to be paid and demanding a resolution to the dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

With the FFA world rankings placing Nigeria 41^st, followed by Cameroon (54^th), Congo DR (60^th) and Gabon (77th), it was clear who were the favourites for the two ties.

But it was not that straightforward.

The meeting between the Eagles and the Panthers even went to extra-time.

Nigeria had seemed on course to win in normal time after Akor Adams pounced on a poor back pass with 12 minutes remaining to open the scoring. Yet Gabon levelled in the 89th minute through Mario Lemina’s deflected shot to send the game to an additional 30 minutes.

Ultimately, clinical finishing from their West African rivals’ main attacker proved the difference.

Chidera Ejuke and Galatasaray marksman Victor Osimhen (a club team-mate of Lemina) struck in the first period of added time before Osimhen, a Serie A title winner with Napoli in 2023, grabbed his second to make sure of victory to end the Gabon dream.

It was a while coming but the extra strength in the Nigerian ranks proved the difference with Osimhen, who is chasing Rashidi Yekini’s record of 37 goals as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer, now on 31 international goals.

A word also for Alex Iwobi, the Fulham midfielder who produced a fine display on the night of his 90^th appearance for his country – only four men have more caps for Nigeria.

Attention then turned to the second tie of the evening as Cameroon, who created magic memories for a generation of football fans, met Congo (formerly Zaire, whose sole World Cup appearance came in Germany in 1974).

It proved to be a cagey affair in heavy rain with chances for both sides.

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana pulled off a fine low save to deny Cedric Bakambu on the hour mark and five minutes later his Man Utd team-mate (Onana is currently on loan at Trabzonspor in Turkey) Bryan Mbeumo shot narrowly wide.

Karl Etta Eyong also had two opportunities late on as Cameroon looked to snatch a winer but, much to my surprise, it was Congo who struck in the second minute of stoppage time to set up a meeting with Nigeria on Sunday.

Leading by example, Leopards’ captain Chancel Mbemba was the hero as he ghosted away from his marker to convert a corner from Brian Cipenga and spark wild celebrations.

The Indomitable Lions, the five-time continental champions who hold the African record for the most appearances at a World Cup, will be absent from next summer’s expanded 48-nation tournament.

Courageous Congo’s dream lives on.

   

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