The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up, and matchday five of the African qualifiers started with a surprise. Cameroon, despite boasting Premier League stars Andre Onana and Bryan Mbeumo, were held to a goalless draw by Eswatini on Wednesday. While the result was disappointing for the Indomitable Lions, it did extend their lead at the top of Group D by two points. However, Cape Verde or Libya could overtake them with victories on Thursday.
Cameroon Frustrated by Resilient Eswatini
Playing in Mbombela, South Africa, since Eswatini lacks a FIFA-approved stadium, Cameroon struggled to break through the determined minnows. Onana, the Manchester United goalkeeper, had little to do as Eswatini focused on defense. Brentford’s Mbeumo was lively in the first half, and in the second half, his cross set up Vincent Aboubakar for a powerful header, but Eswatini goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhanya made a stunning save to deny the breakthrough.
Ranked 110 places above their opponents, Cameroon was expected to dominate. However, their quest for a ninth World Cup appearance remains uncertain as they failed to convert their chances. Meanwhile, Eswatini, though still at the bottom of the group with just one point, managed to avoid defeat for the first time in these qualifiers after suffering four straight losses since November 2023.
Nine More Matches Set to Shake Up the Standings
Thursday will see nine more qualifiers, with the spotlight on former Manchester United backroom staff member Benni McCarthy, who makes his debut as Kenya’s coach in a crucial Group F match against The Gambia in Abidjan.
Tunisia Extend Lead in Group H
Tunisia strengthened their grip on Group H with a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Liberia. Hazem Mastouri was the hero, scoring just four minutes into the game with a well-placed close-range shot that slipped past goalkeeper Tommy Songo at his near post.
The Carthage Eagles, seeking their seventh World Cup appearance, now have 13 points from five matches. Their closest challengers, Namibia, have eight points, while Liberia remains in contention with seven points. With just a few games left in the qualifiers, Tunisia looks well on course for a spot in the global showpiece.
Madagascar Thrashes Central African Republic to Lead Group I
In another thrilling encounter, Madagascar staged a remarkable comeback to hammer the Central African Republic 4-1 in Casablanca. The match started disastrously for Madagascar as Hugo Gambor put the Central African Republic ahead early on. However, Rayan Raveloson turned the game around with two quick goals before halftime.
Madagascar’s dominance continued in the second half, with Arnaud Randrianantenaina adding a third goal before Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa sealed the victory in the dying minutes. The emphatic win propelled Madagascar to the top of Group I with 10 points. Hot on their heels are Comoros and Ghana, each with nine points, making Group I one of the most competitive sections in the qualifiers.
Looking Ahead
As the FIFA World Cup qualifiers progress, the stakes are getting higher. While some teams, like Tunisia and Madagascar, are asserting their dominance, others, like Cameroon, need to find their rhythm quickly. With more thrilling encounters lined up, African football fans are in for an exciting journey to the 2026 World Cup.
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