By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
At a time the three-time African champions, Nigeria faltered against South Africa after a 1-1draw in Uyo on Friday in the race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, neighbours Cameroon and fellow West Africans, Gambia won big at the end of FIFAWCQ Match Day 3 played across Africa at the weekend.
Prompt News reports that Super Eagles laboured to force visiting Bafana Bafana of South Africa to a 1-1 draw as the result put a dent on the team’s chances of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup final in North American countries of United States, Mexico and Canada.
Nigeria now occupy fifth position on the Group C table with a paltry three points from three games with unfancied Lesotho leading the pack while Rwanda, Benin Republic and South Africa with four points followed and Zimbabwe rooted in the sixth place.
But unlike the “Super Eagles” the Indomitable Lions were in the devastating mood as Cameroon smashed Cape Verde 4-1 on Saturday at Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo.
Ageless Vincent Aboubakar grabbed a brace as the Indomitable Lions skipper first struck in the 25th minute before completing his double from the penalty spot a minute before the halftime break.
Opening the scoring for Cameroon was Michael Ngadeu in the 13th minute before Nouhou Tolo also found the back of the net nine minutes into the second half.
Jamiro Monteiro’s goal for Cape Verde was not enough to push for a comeback.
Following Saturday’s result, the Indomitable Lions are on top of Group D while Cape Verde are fourth.
This is even as The Gambia demolished Seychelles 5-1 at Stade Municipal de Berkane in far away Morocco with rising goalpoacher Muhammed Badamosi striking a brace while Musa Barrow, Yankuba Minteh and Adama Sidibe also found the back of the net for the hosts.
Ryan Henriette grabbed Seychelles’ consolation as they remained bottom of Group F while Gambia settled for second position with three points fewer than group leaders Ivory Coast.
Elsewhere, Zimbabwe were stunned 2-0 by Lesotho in a Group C showdown at their adopted home, Orlando Stadium in South Africa.
Rethabile Rasenthuntsa and Jane Thabansto scored in the 21st and 31st minute, respectively to hand Lesotho their first set of maximum points in this campaign.
The Crocodiles now top Group C ahead of Rwanda, Benin Republic
South Africa and Nigeria while Zimbabwe dropped to the bottom of the table.
In Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions, the Elephants had to sweat to a 1-0 victory over visiting Gabon at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
Seko Fofana’s 36-minute goal carried the day for the Ivorians who contained Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang well.
Following the victory, the Elephants are now three points clear at the top of Group F while the Panthers remain second.
In Morocco, the legendary Hakim Ziyech scored from the penalty spot as early as the sixth minute while Monaco midfielder Eliesse Ben Seghir was also on the scoresheet in the 67th minute to hand Morocco victory over Zambia at Stade d’Agadir. READ ALSO:
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Edward Chilufya’s goal 10 minutes from time was not enough to inspire a Chipolopolo comeback as the Atlas Lions remain three points clear of Group E while Zambia are second.
Meanwhile, Mozambique beat Somalia 2-1 as Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove was an unused substitute as Mozambique beat Somalia 2-1 at Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto.
Alfons Amade and reported Chiefs target Stanley Ratifo were on the scoresheet for the Mambas in the first half while Ismail Shirwa scored in the second stanza.
Despite their second victory in Group G, Mozambique remain fourth on the table while Somalia anchor the standings after suffering three defeats.
Also, Angola edged Eswatini 1-0 as they picked up maximum points for the first time in Group D after recording a slim 1-0 win over Eswatini at Estádio 11 de Novembro.
Mabululu’s second-minute goal settled matters but Palancas Negras remain second on the table while Eswatini are bottom with three defeats.
But Kenya and Burundi settled for a 1-1 draw as
Mike Abdallah’s equaliser with five minutes remaining denied Kenya victory against Burundi in a Group F encounter.
Duke Abuya had thrust Kenya ahead after 72 minutes and the Harambee Stats are third on the standings while Burundi are fourth, both teams with four points each.
Madagascar defeated Comoros 2-1 as Auxerre Rayan Raveloson scored as early as the first minute to put Madagascar ahead before sealing a brace on 66 minutes in the 2-1 win over the Comoros.
El Fardou Mohamed Ben Nabouhane’s goal deep in stoppage time was too late to spark a Comors comen-back in this Group I encounter.
Madagascar are top of the table with Comoros second in this pool that has Ghana in third.
In Uganda, the hosts beat Botswana 1-0 with Muhammad Shaban rising from the bench to separate Uganda and visitors Botswana at Nelson Mandela National Stadium.
It was Uganda’s second straight win in Group G where they are third as the Zebras lost their second game of the campaign to be placed fifth.
ALL MATCH DAY 3 RESULTS
Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Lesotho 2-0 Zimbabwe
Benin 1-0 Rwanda
Cameroon 4-1Cape Verde
Gambia 5-1 Seychelles
Ivory Coast 1-0 Gabon
Morocco 2-1 Zambia
Mozambique 2-1 Somalia
Angola 1-0 Eswatini
Kenya 1-1 Burundi
Madagascar 2-1 Comoros
Uganda 1- 0 Botswana
Mali 1-2 Ghana
Sierra Leone 2-1 Djibouti
Guinea-Bissau 0-0 Ethiopia
Egypt 2-1 Burkina Faso
Togo 1-1 South Sudan
Namibia 1-1 Liberia
Tunisia 1-0 Equatorial Guinea
CAR 1-0 Chad
Mauritania 0-2 Sudan
Senegal 1-1 Congo DR
Libya 2-1 Mauritius
Algeria 1-2 Guinea
Malawi 3-1 Sao Tome & Principe
