Yemi Olakitan
As the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup resume today, several heavyweight teams, including Nigeria, Egypt, and Ghana, are gearing up for pivotal matches that could determine their paths to the tournament in North America.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set to clash with Group C leaders Rwanda at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali at 17:00 local time. Currently fifth in their group with just three points from four matches, Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying hang in the balance. The Nigerian Football Federation recently appointed Eric Chelle, former Mali coach, to reinvigorate the team’s campaign. Chelle’s tenure with Mali saw them reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. A victory against Rwanda is crucial for Nigeria to keep their World Cup aspirations alive.
In Group A, Egypt will face Ethiopia in a high-stakes encounter at 22:00. The Pharaohs currently top their group and aim to extend their lead to secure an automatic qualification spot. Under the guidance of coach Hossam El Badry, Egypt has displayed consistent form throughout the qualifiers. A win today would further cement their position as group leaders.
Ghana’s Black Stars are set to host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium at 20:00. After a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Ghana appointed veteran German coach Winfried Schafer as a technical adviser to assist head coach Otto Addo. Schafer, who led Cameroon to the African title in 2002, brings a wealth of experience to the Ghanaian setup. Currently sharing the top spot in Group I, Ghana aims to secure a win to bolster their chances of World Cup qualification.
Other Notable Fixtures are Group A: Burkina Faso vs. Djibouti at 17:00.Group B: DR Congo vs. South Sudan at 17:00.Group C: South Africa vs. Lesotho at 17:00.Group E: Niger vs. Morocco at 22:30. Group F: Burundi vs. Ivory Coast at 20:00.Group G: Botswana vs. Algeria at 14:00; Guinea vs. Somalia at 22:00. Group H: Equatorial Guinea vs. São Tomé and Príncipe at 14:00.
As the qualifiers progress, the stakes are higher than ever, with teams vying for the coveted spots in the expanded 48-team World Cup. Today’s matches are set to play a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s representation on football’s grandest stage.
