BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Egypt’s Coach Hossam Hassan expressed his satisfaction with the players’ performance against Guinea Bissau.
The Pharaohs maintained their lead at the top of Group A at the African 2026 World Cup Qualifiers following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Guinea-Bissau away from home.
“I am happy with the players’ performance, they did their best, and we tried to avoid the loss,” Hassan said after the game.
The hosts took the lead in the 42nd minute when Mama Balde broke the deadlock. Egypt responded in the second half and carved out the equaliser through Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, whose left-footed effort curled into the top corner of net to ensure that his side remained in the driver’s seat in Group A.
The Pharaohs have been placed in Group A alongside Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Sierra Leone.
Despite the draw, Egypt leads Group A with 10 points from four matches, trailing second-placed Guinea Bissau by four points.
Currently, the Pharaohs lead Group A with 10 points from four games played.
They secured win in their first three qualifying matches against Djibouti 6-0 in the first round and Sierra Leone 2-0 in the second round and Burkina Faso 2-1 in the third round.
They dropped their first two points in the qualifiers after the draw against Guinea-Bissau.
The nine group winners will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The four best runners-up will then compete for one place at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
The Pharaohs will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign in March.
Benin and Algeria displayed courageous fighting spirit after coming from behind to collect all three points in their respective qualifiers.
Benin played host to Nigeria in fixture staged in Abidjan, while Algeria were away to Uganda in a match played in Namboole.
Ghana 4 – 3 Central African Republic
Kumasi bore witness to one of its Black Stars’ most dramatic encounters in the sides’ rich history books.
The former African champions were home to Central African Republic in a Group I match that concluded 4-3 in favour of Ghana.
Following his vital late strike against Mali last week, Jordan Ayew continued where he left off, as his hat-trick contributed to the high scoring and nerve-wracking tie that concluded with Ghana walking away with all three points.
Burkina Faso 2 – 2 Sierra Leone
Burkina Faso lost out on an opportunity to close the gap between themselves and table toppers, Egypt after disappointingly dropping points in a home match played in Bamako.
After taking a two-goal lead ahead of the break, two lapses of concentration cost the Stallions vital points at home as Sierra Leone came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw.
Guinea 0 – 1 Mozambique
In another dramatic encounter, the Mambas of Mozambique stunned Guinea with a 1-0 loss courtesy of a very late strike by Geny Catamo to hand Mozambique all three points that see them tied on nine points with Algeria who have a better goal difference.
Benin 2 – 1 Nigeria
After being held by South Africa at home this past weekend, the Super Eagles were aiming for nothing less than a victory away from home.
Raphael Onyedika’s 27th minute strike looked to have put the Nigerians in the driving seat, but their joy was short-lived thanks to Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie’s respective strikes that saw Benin snatch a victory.
The result propelled Benin to the summit of Group C, while the Super Eagles see their FIFA World Cup chances heavily dented in a result that sees them move down to fifth, just a point behind Zimbabwe.
Uganda 1 – 2 Algeria
Following last week’s 2-1 loss to Guinea, Algeria enjoyed an away victory by the same scoreline over Uganda who initially took the lead in as early as the 10th minute courtesy of Travis Mutyaba.
The early concession did not deter the Algerians from their objective and their efforts were duly rewarded in the 46th minute when Houssem Aouar levelled matters before Said Benrahma found the all-important goal to seal a crucial victory for the North Africans.
Botswana triumph over Somalia
Botswana kept their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup alive with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Somalia in Maputo, while Equatorial Guinea secured their first win of the qualifiers, edging out Malawi 1-0 in Malabo.
In the Group G encounter, Botswana drew first blood through Thabang Sesinyi’s early header, but Somalia refused to go down without a fight.
The underdogs found an equalizer in the 74th minute when Sak Hassan fired home from close range.
However, Botswana’s resilience shone through as they regained the lead almost immediately, Kabelo Seakanyeng coolly converting from the penalty spot.
Mosha Gaolaolwe then put the result beyond doubt with a clinical finish to make it 3-1.
The win sees Botswana climb to second in the group with six points, while Somalia remain rooted to the bottom, still searching for their first point.
In Group H, Equatorial Guinea and Malawi played out a cagey affair in Malabo, with chances at a premium.
The decisive moment came in the 81st minute when Iban Salvador pounced on a loose ball in the box to slam home the winner for the hosts.
Malawi threw bodies forward in the dying stages but couldn’t find an equalizer, leaving them fourth in the group with six points.
Equatorial Guinea’s first victory lifts them to fifth, keeping their slender World Cup hopes flickering.
Both groups remain finely poised with some matchdays remaining.
Botswana and Equatorial Guinea will be buoyed by their wins as they target surprise qualification for the 2026 showpiece in North America.
Mauritania 0-1 Senegal
Senegal secured a crucial away victory against Mauritania with a one-nil win in Nouakchott in the fourth round of Group B.
The only goal of the match was scored by Habib Diallo in the twenty-seventh minute, which was enough for the Teranga Lions to claim the win on the road.
Senegal currently tops the group with eight points, awaiting the remaining matches of Group B. Meanwhile, Mauritania remains at the bottom with just one point.
Djibouti 1-1 Ethiopia
The match between Djibouti and Ethiopia ended in a one-one draw in El Jadida, Morocco, as part of Group A.
Djibouti took the lead through Gabriel Dadzie in the twenty-ninth minute, but Ethiopia quickly responded with a goal from Wendimu Dibaba in the thirty-first minute.
Djibouti earned their first point of the qualifiers after four matches, placing them last in the group. Ethiopia has three points and is in fifth place.
DR Congo 1-0 Togo
DR Congo achieved an important 1-0 victory over Togo in Kinshasa in a highly entertaining match.
Forward Meshack Elia was the hero of the match, scoring the only goal in the sixth minute, securing three valuable points for his team.
The Congolese now have seven points, putting them third in Group B, while Togo remains with three points in fourth place.
