Big win for Egypt, Nigeria only claim a point

Sixteen teams began their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as Egypt hammered Djibouti while Algeria also picked up a win in their opening match.

Twenty-seven goals were scored across the eight games and the day started with Burundi emerging 3-2 victors against Gambia at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam,

The Swallows went into the break 2-1 up courtesy of goals from Abedi Bigirimana (31') and Frederic Nsabiyumva (35') before Musa Barrow (45+4') halved the deficit on the stroke of halftime.

Sudi Abdallah (75') sealed the win, although Ebrima Colley (90+8' PEN) pulled another one back for the Scorpions deep into stoppage time.

Mozambique came out on top in a Southern African derby after they beat Botswana 3-2 at the Francistown Stadium.

Clesio (14') broke the deadlock early on in Francistown and Stanley Ratifo (52') doubled the Mambas' lead, but two goals in quick succession saw Molaodi Tlhalefang (74') hit back for the Zebras before Jonathan Muiomo (75') found a swift reply at the other end and Mogakolodi Ngele (85') got his name on the scoresheet late on to set up a tense finish.

It was the Mohamed Salah show at the Cairo International Stadium as Egypt thumped Djibouti to take early command of Group A.

Salah (17', 22' PEN, 48', 69') scored four himself in Cairo and further goals from Mostafa Mohamed (73') and Trezeguet (89') completed the rout.

Becoming your nation's all time #WCQ top goal-scorer, one super-hatrrick at a time. 😏🇪🇬

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️@MoSalah | @EgyptNT_En pic.twitter.com/eQv5bmliNw
— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 16, 2023

Meanwhile, Kevin Denkey (43') cancelled out Mohamed Eisa's 17th-minute opener from the penalty spot as Togo battled from behind to draw 1-1 with Sudan Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi and Nigeria also had to settle for the share of the spoils after they drew 1-1 against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (56') gave the Crocodiles a shock lead early in the second half, but Semi Ajayi equalised 11 minutes later to rescue a point for the Super Eagles.

pic.twitter.com/KADdsTlAHJ
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 16, 2023

Kenya's return to competitive action saw them suffer a 2-1 defeat to Gabon at the Franceville Stadium, where second-half goals from Denis Bouanga (60') and Guelor Kanga (88') secured the comeback win after Masud Juma (40') had put the Harambee Stars ahead.

Algeria got off to a positive start with a 3-1 victory over Somalia at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, while the clash between Cape Verde and Angola finished goalless at the Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde.

An own-goal from Ahmed Abdullahi Abdi after just two minutes gave the Fennec Foxes a dream start and Baghdad Bounedjah (31') doubled their advantage before Yusuf Ahmed reduced the deficit for the Ocean Stars, only for Islam Slimani (80') to wrap up the win in the closing stages.