Ivory Coast and Senegal secured dominant wins as Benin moved top in Group C after a dramatic night of African World Cup qualifiers.
Friday’s African 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers produced emphatic wins for Ivory Coast and Senegal, while Benin took control of Group C with a vital victory.
Benin defeated Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali courtesy of Aiyegun Tosin’s 80th-minute strike to move two points clear at the top.
South Africa were held 0-0 by Zimbabwe in Durban, as Nigeria closed in with a 2-1 win over Lesotho through goals from William Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams.
Senegal crushed South Sudan 5-0 in Juba, inspired by a brace from Ismaila Sarr, while DR Congo edged Togo 1-0 via Cedric Bakambu’s early strike.
Ivory Coast thrashed Seychelles 7-0 in Mauritius, keeping a point ahead of Gabon, who beat Gambia 4-3 thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s four goals before being sent off.
Matchday 10 continues Sunday, with Ghana hosting Comoros in Accra.