2026 World Cup qualifiers: Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Mali, South Africa & Ivory Coast record wins

Ghana battered Chad 5-0

By Emmanuel Akyereko

Ghana were big winners on Friday night in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as the Black Stars annihilated Group I whipping boys Chad 5-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Otto Addo’s men have now taken a commanding lead in the group with 12 points while Madagascar and Comoros follow with 10 and 9 points respectively.

Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo raced the Black Stars into a 2nd minute lead before Inaki Williams doubled the advantage inside the 32nd minute. Skipper Jordan Ayew converted a spot kick 5 minutes later.

AS Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu registered his name on the score-sheet after the interval before Olympique Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah sealed the win a 69th minute goal.

Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Super Eagles breathed life into their campaign with a 2-0 away win over Rwanda. Victor Osimhen netted both goals in the first-half at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

Meanwhile, South Africa needed two second-half goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams to claim a 2-0 win over neighbouring Lesotho in a Group C clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Burkina Faso maintained their focus on qualification to the mundial with a 4-1 victory over Djibouti.

In Burundi, Sebastian Haller set up Evann Guessand to score the solitary goal for the Elephants as they sneaked past Burundi 1-0.

Morocco made it four wins out of four after defeating Niger 2-1 while Mohamed Salah and Zizo scored the goals for Egypt’s Pharaohs in their 2-0 away win over Ethiopa.

Mali handed down a 3-0 defeat to Comoros on Thursday to keep their qualification hopes alive.