Nigeria get first qualifying win as Salah nets for Egypt

Victor Osimhen spurred Nigeria to their first World Cup 2026 qualifying win, while Mohamed Salah did the same for Egypt in advancing its chances to the finals.

Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Africa all took leadership of their groups and Morocco clinched a late win in a hectic day which featured 11 qualifiers played around the continent.

Liverpool striker Salah scored coolly to put Egypt ahead away in Ethiopia and then turned provider for Zizo to double the advantage before half-time.

The Pharaohs have opened up a five-point gap in Group A halfway stage of the tournament.

On-loan Galatasaray striker Osimhen scored both goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Rwanda, and the Super Eagles are now four points adrift of South Africa in Group C.

Bafana Bafana climbed to the top after beating a dogged Lesotho team 2-0 with second-half goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams.

Just the nine group winners are guaranteed a spot at the enlarged 48-team World Cup finals next year.

The four highest-placed second teams after 10 games will qualify for play-offs, with the winners earning a spot through an intercontinental tournament.

Bilal El Khannouss scored a winning goal deep into injury time to save Morocco’s blushes against underfancied Niger and create a six-point lead in Group E.

The West Africans, who were playing on home soil in the Moroccan city of Oujda, opened up a surprising second-half advantage through Youssef Oumarou but Ismael Saibari leveled on the hour.

Leicester City midfielder El Khannouss was given a free ride at the rear post to duck and head in Noussair Mazraoui’s delivery and provide the Atlas Lions with a ninth successive competitive victory.

Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo and Leicester forward Jordan Ayew both scored as Ghana routed Chad 5-0 in Accra to lift themselves two points clear of Madagascar at the head of Group I.

Continental champions Ivory Coast struggled to a 1-0 away victory over Burundi as Evann Guessand shot in the only goal in the 16th minute.

The Elephants are still unbeaten and hold a one-point lead over Gabon in Group F.

Elsewhere, DR Congo drew level on points with surprise Group B leaders Sudan as Theo Bongonda’s thumping shot earned a 1-0 victory over South Sudan after a disjointed performance in Kinshasa.

Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea posted easy victories, with Emilio Nsue scoring for the latter after returning from a dispute over his eligibility.