Thursday’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying action in Africa saw Algeria become the latest team to secure their ticket to next year’s tournament in North America, while Kenya, Liberia, Uganda and Guinea claimed notable victories.
Needing a win in their early-evening ‘away’ match against Somalia in Oran to secure top spot in Group G, the Fennec Foxes powered to a 3-0 triumph courtesy of goals from Mohamed Amoura (two) and Riyad Mahrez
Algeria will head to their fifth World Cup in 2026, adding to appearances in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. They join Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in a North African quartet which has punched their ticket to North America.
Elsewhere in Group G, Uganda took a major step toward securing second place with a 1-0 away win over Botswana in Francistown, courtesy of Jude Ssemugabi’s header, while third-placed Mozambique succumbed 1-2 at home to Guinea. Abdoul Karim Traore netted both goals for the Syli National.
In a lone Group H match played in Monrovia, Liberia cut Namibia’s lead in the race for second place (behind already-qualified Tunisia) to one point with a 3-1 win over the Brave Warriors. Ayouba Kosiah, Mamadu Bah and Edward Ledlum scored for the hosts at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sport Complex.
In the only afternoon match, Kenya defeated east African rivals Burundi 1-0 at the Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura. The Swallows had Bonfils Bimenyimana sent off early on, and the Harambee Stars claimed victory courtesy of a second-half strike from Ryan Ogam – rising to third place in Group F.
A scheduled early-evening Group H match between Malawi and Equatorial Guinea at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe was postponed.
Matchday 9 concludes with nine games on Friday, featuring Senegal and Ivory Coast chasing qualification, as well as the likes of South Africa and Nigeria in vital Group C action.
2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers (CAF/Africa)
Results, Thursday 9 October:
Burundi 0-1 Kenya
Liberia 3-1 Namibia
Mozambique 1-2 Guinea
Somalia 0-3 Algeria – *Algeria secured qualification
Malawi v Equatorial Guinea – Postponed
Botswana 0-1 Uganda