AfriqueCAN
SENEGAL moved to the top of their group in African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after Habib Diallo’s header gave the Teranga Lions a 1-0 win in Mauritania.
The striker got in front of his marker on the edge of the six-yard box to meet an inswinging cross from Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr in the 27th minute in Nouakchott.
There was a lengthy delay in completing the match after frustrated home fans threw objects onto the pitch in the second half and proceedings were halted.
DR Congo are a point behind Senegal in the Group B table after the Leopards registered a 1-0 home win against Togo, with Brentford forward Yoane Wissa superbly setting up Meschack Elia’s early goal.
Meanwhile, Tunisia’s perfect start came to an end with a goalless draw away against Namibia, but the Carthage Eagles remain top of Group H on 10 points.
All nine group winners at the end of the 10-match campaign are guaranteed a place at the 2026 finals, while another African side could book a spot in the United States, Mexico and Canada via an intercontinental tournament.
The fourth round of qualifiers continues on Monday and Tuesday, after which the African preliminaries will pause until March 2025.
Qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations are scheduled to be played in September, October and November, although the dates for both the group draw and the finals themselves in Morocco are yet to be announced by the Confederation of African Football.