Morocco becomes first African nation to qualify for 2026 world cup after defeating Niger Republic

Morocco becomes first African nation to qualify for 2026 world cup after defeating Niger Republic

Morocco have come to be the first African state to qualify for the 2026 FIFA global Cup after thrashing 10-guy Niger five-0 in Rabat on Friday, September 5, to seal top spot in organization E.

Ismael Saibari struck twice inside the first half after Abdul-Latif Goumey was despatched off, even as Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane and Azzedine Ounahi introduced in addition goals in the 2nd 1/2 to finish the emphatic win.

The victory, Morocco’s 6th in a row, lifted them to 18 factors, eight clean of Tanzania, making sure qualification for their 7th international Cup look with 2 video games nonetheless to play.

The Atlas Lions will be hoping to copy or higher their outstanding 2022 campaign in Qatar, wherein they have become the primary African aspect to attain the semi-finals, doing away with Spain and Portugal earlier than falling two-0 to France.

solely Ounahi from the scorers towards Niger featured in Qatar, with instruct Walid Regragui refreshing his squad through introducing new skills, along with PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.

someplace else inside the qualifiers, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo with Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush converting past due first-1/2 consequences. Victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday could see the Pharaohs be a part of Morocco on the 2026 finals inside the united states, Canada and Mexico.

In institution B, Newcastle United’s new signing Yoane Wissa was once the various scorers because the Democratic Republic of Congo beat South Sudan 4-1 in Juba to remain top. Cedric Bakambu scored two times, while Senegal stayed within a factor of the leaders after a two-zero win over Sudan in Diamniadio through dreams from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.

South Africa maintained a five-factor cushion in group C with a three-zero win over neighbours Lesotho in Bloemfontein. Mohau Nkota, Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis had been on the right track, even though accidents to defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane solid a shadow in advance in their indispensable clash with Nigeria on Tuesday.

some place else, Steve Mounie’s strike secured Benin a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe, even as Gambia greatly surprised Kenya 3-1 in Nairobi with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh at the scoresheet.

Guinea eased beyond Somalia three-0 with Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy netting his first world Cup qualifying intention, even though their marketing campaign remains all however over as they take a seat eight factors adrift of organization G leaders Algeria.

Reigning African champions Ivory Coast face Gabon on Tuesday, September 9, in a decisive group F encounter that might determine the organization winner.