Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and South Africa returned to the FIFA World Cup on a dramatic final day of African qualifying in various venues across the continent Tuesday evening.
In Group C, South Africa took advantage of Benin's loss to Nigeria to leapfrog into first, with the Super Eagles soaring into second. Côte d'Ivoire left no doubt in downing Kenya to clinch Group F, while Senegal ran rampant at home against Mauritania to sew up Group B.
Meanwhile, Congo DR, Nigeria and Gabon all emerged victorious and confirmed their places in next month's African Play-Off Tournament, joining Cameroon.
Elsewhere, Uganda finished Group G runners-up despite defeat to Algeria, while The Gambia went on a goal spree in the Seychelles.
Senegal goals: Mane (45+1, 49), Ndiaye (64), Diallo (85)
Senegal punched their World Cup ticket in style with a decisive win against Mauritania in Diamniadio
Mauritania goalkeeper Abderrahmane Sarr did well to deny a pair of hard hits from Ismaila Sarr and El Hadji Malick Diouf, but he was helpless to prevent the opener from Sadio Mane, who curled in a right-footed free kick moments before intermission.
The goal eased the pressure on the Lions of Teranga, and their football started to flow in the second half, beginning with Mane’s second of the night from inside the area. The festive night was then capped by Iliman Ndiaye’s breathtaking solo run and Habib Diallo’s clinical finish.
South Africa goals: Mbatha (5), Appollis (26), Makgopa (72)
South Africa capitalized upon a Nigerian favour to ensure they will appear on football’s grandest stage for the first time in 16 years.
Thalente Mbatha quickly exploded the decibel levels at Mbombela Stadium, fizzing a shot through Fiacre Ntwari’s hands and into the net.
Evidence Makgopa then took the ball down exquisitely, and Oswin Appollis employed immaculate technique to rifle it home and double the lead.
The pair reversed roles for the third, an Appollis corner headed home by Makgopa. It’s party time in South Africa.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CAF/Africa)
Results, Tuesday 14 October
Seychelles 0-7 Gambia
Somalia 0-1 Mozambique
Algeria 2-1 Uganda
South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
Nigeria 4-0 Benin
Guinea 2-2 Botswana
Ivory Coast 3-0 Kenya
Gabon 2-0 Burundi
DR Congo 1-0 Sudan
Morocco 1-0 Congo
Senegal 4-0 Mauritania
AFRICA’S NINE AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS
Morocco (previous appearances in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018, 2022)
Tunisia (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
Egypt (1934, 1990, 2018)
Algeria (1982, 1986, 2010, 2014)
Ghana (2006, 2010, 2014, 2022)
Cape Verde (debutants)
South Africa (1998, 2002, 2010)
Ivory Coast (2006, 2010, 2014)
Senegal (2002, 2018, 2022)
Top-ranked runners-up
Gabon
Nigeria
Cameroon
DR Congo