BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau — Egypt’s national football team finished preparations in readiness for Group A match against Guinea-Bissau on Monday in Bissau, at 4:00 PM Cairo Local Time, as part of the fourth round of Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Pharaohs have been placed in Group A alongside Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Sierra Leone.
Egypt remained unbeaten following a well-earned victory over Burkina Faso, while Ghana rallied in the second half to post a crucial win at Mali and Guinea raised eyebrows with a massive victory at Algeria.
Currently, they lead Group A with nine points from three 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.
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.
On the next fixtures, Guinea-Bissau will host Egypt on Monday at Estadio 24 de Setembro, as Burkina Faso will take on Sierra Leone also.
The record seven-time African champions host Niger in Cairo on June 15 before heading to Djibouti City four days later as they look to open up a commanding advantage at the top of Group A.
Against Burkina Faso, Turkey-based Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ scored with his head after three minutes and his left foot after seven minutes to lead the Pharaohs to maintain their 100 per cent start to the qualifiers.
Lassina Traore reduced the deficit 11 minutes into the second half, but the Burkinabe could not avoid a first loss and slipped to third.
Guinea-Bissau was surprisingly held 0-0 at home by Ethiopia, and will now host Egypt on Monday.
Egypt is among six countries boasting 100 per cent records after Algeria sustained a shock 2-1 home defeat by Guinea in Group G, with Aguibou Camara firing the 63rd-minute winner.
Cameroon, Gambia secure victories
Cameroon and Gambia secured comfortable wins, as they overcame Cape Verde and Seychelles respectively.
In Yaounde, Cameroon thumped Cape Verde 4-1 in a match played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, rising to the top of Group D in the process.
The Indomitable Lions struck through Michael Ngadeu, Vincent Aboubakar [two] and Nouhou Tolo, with the result taking them to seven points and ahead of former group leaders Libya on goal difference.
The Blue Sharks, who had a consolation goal from Jamiro Monteiro, are fourth on four points after a first defeat of the campaign.
At the Municipal Stadium in Berkane, Morocco, Gambia defeated Seychelles 5-1 to claim their first win of the campaign.
Goals from Mohamed Badamosi [two], Musa Barrow, Yankuba Minteh and Adama Sidibeh secured the first three points for the Scorpions in Group F, though they remained in fifth place – six points off the pace set by leaders Côte d’Ivoire.
As for the Pirates, they have zero points from three matches, though Ryan Henriette at least managed to score their first goal of the campaign.
Senegal, meanwhile, had to beat the visiting Democratic Republic of Congo to regain first place in Group B, but were held to a 1-1 draw after Fiston Mayele equalised with five minutes remaining.
The stalemate left the Senegalese two points behind Sudan, who won 2-0 in Mauritania, and the Congolese lie third.
Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew scored in added time as Ghana came from behind in Group I to triumph 2-1 in Mali and rise from fifth to second.
Fiston Mayele equalised five minutes from fulltime as the Democratic Republic of Congo held hosts Senegal to a 1-1 draw in a World Cup Group B qualifier in Diamniadio.
Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco secure wins
The closing fixtures of qualifiers saw some interesting movements in Group C, E and F where the race to the global showpiece gains exciting momentum.
A north versus south encounter between Morocco and Zambia saw the North African giants edge Chipolopolo 2-1 in Agadir to retain their Group E lead; while reigning African champions, Côte d’Ivoire managed a narrow 1-0 victory over Gabon to number one spot in Group F.
It was an evenly balanced encounter in Uyo where the Super Eagles came from behind to salvage a point against South Africa as Group C remains wide open.
Morocco 2 – 1 Zambia
An early penalty conversion by Hakim Ziyech saw the Atlas Lions grab the early lead in opening minutes to go into the break with a lead.
Coming back from the break, Eliesse Ben Seghir doubled the north Africans’ lead ahead of a 80th minute consolation goal by Edward Chilufya, as Morocco went ahead of Zambia in Group E.
Côte d’Ivoire 1 – 0 Gabon
Seko Fofana led by example in the Elephants’ quest to return to the global showpiece.
The midfield maestro’s solitary goal was enough to see the reigning African champions secure a slim win over Gabon to maintain their winning streak in Group F and maintain their lead at the top.
Nigeria 1 – 1 South Africa
It was a battle of old foes in Uyo as the Super Eagles of Nigeria played host to South Africa.
The highly entertaining affair which was a repeat of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 semi-final saw the teams share the spoils at a packed Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
A stroke of genius by Themba Zwane in the 29th minute gave Bafana Bafana the lead ahead of the break, before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru cancelled out Zwane’s goal just seconds into the second half for the match to end 1-1 in Group C.
