Mohamed Salah struck twice as Egypt beat Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring after eight minutes and Salah followed six minutes later before adding a second on 84 minutes to complete the win. The victory gives Egypt an unassailable five-point lead in Group A with one match to spare, sealing their place at the tournament.
Salah finishes the long qualifying campaign with nine goals. The 33-year-old, who helped Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th Premier League title last season and won the Golden Boot with 29 goals, has struggled for club form this term, scoring just three times in nine appearances for Liverpool.
Thomas Partey scored as Ghana overwhelmed the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes. Ghana now require a single point from their final group game at home to Comoros to confirm qualification.
Other scorers for the Black Stars were Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, captain Jordan Ayew (71), and Kamaldeen Sulemana. Ghana led 1-0 at half-time before the rout was completed in the second half.
Cape Verde came from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Libya in Tripoli, moving closer to a maiden World Cup appearance. An early own goal from Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto Lopes gave Libya the lead, Telmo Arcanjo levelled, then Ezoo el Mariamy and Mahmoud al Shalwi put the Mediterranean Knights 3-1 up either side of half-time.
Sidny Cabral reduced the deficit and Cyprus-based Willy Semedo equalised on 82 minutes to leave a tense finish. Cape Verde sit two points clear of Cameroon on 20 points after nine rounds and will clinch top spot if they beat Eswatini in Praia on Monday.
Cameroon beat Mauritius 2-0 in Saint-Pierre but needed a late effort to keep their qualification hopes alive. Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu put the Indomitable Lions ahead on 57 minutes and Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo grabbed the second in added time, his fourth goal of the campaign.
Cameroon complete their schedule at home to Angola and must win that match to have any chance of overtaking Cape Verde. If Cape Verde finish top, Cameroon will hope to qualify as one of the best-ranked runners-up and reach the African play-off mini-tournament.
The African mini-tournament will consist of single-match semi-finals and a final, with the winner advancing to a six-nation intercontinental play-off next March, where two World Cup places are available.
Eswatini looked set for victory after Justice Figuareido scored twice early in the second half to put them ahead in Lobamba. Angola, under new French coach Patrice Beaumelle after the sacking of Pedro Goncalves, pulled one back through Jonathan Buatu. A slack Eswatini marking at a corner allowed Papel Ary to head the equaliser with ten minutes of normal time remaining, the match finishing 2-2 and leaving Eswatini still without a win in the group.
