Algeria, Egypt on track

ALGERIA, Egypt and Morocco all strengthened their bids to reach the 2026 Fifa World Cup football finals, but Sudan’s unlikely challenge for a place at the finals suffered a setback as the sixth round of qualifying was completed on Tuesday.

Sudan, forced to play all their home games on neutral turf while civil war continues in the country, conceded a 98th-minute equaliser against South Sudan and slipped to third in Group B. DR Congo lead the table after their 2-0 win in Mauritania, with the Leopards a point ahead of Senegal and the Sudanese.

Egypt restored their five-point advantage at the head of Group A with a 1-0 win against Sierra Leone while Algeria moved three points clear in Group G as Mohamed Amoura bagged a hat-trick in their 5-1 triumph over closest challengers Mozambique.

Morocco have a commanding nine-point cushion after beating Tanzania 2-0 – but the standings in Group E may be affected if Congo-Brazzaville’s suspension from international football is not lifted. Only the nine group winners will qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament next year, with the four best second-placed sides playing off for a spot at an intercontinental tournament which will decide the final spots at the World Cup.

Nigeria are in danger of missing out on a ticket to the United States, Mexico and Canada after drawing 1-1 at home against Zimbabwe, leaving the Super Eagles six points adrift of Group C leaders South Africa.

The final four rounds of group fixtures will be spread across September and October, with African play-offs scheduled for November.

Elsewhere amid 15 qualifiers on Tuesday, Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo scored one and set up another as Cameroon beat Libya 3-1 to remain a point behind Cape Verde in Group D. And Comoros cut Ghana’s lead to three points in Group I following a 1-0 home win over Chad in neutral Berkane.

Sudan upset the odds to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but their dreams of reaching the World Cup are fading despite remaining unbeaten in Group B.

The Falcons of Jediane were frustrated by neighbours South Sudan in Benina, Libya, until Mohamed Eisa stabbed home from close range in the 76th minute.

Sudan were seconds away from victory when David Omot Sebit levelled with an acrobatic volley after substitute goalkeeper Ali Abu Eshrein failed to gather a high ball into the box under pressure. Morocco remain the only side in African preliminaries with a perfect record, but the Atlas Lions had to wait until the second half to find the breakthrough against Tanzania in their Group E clash in Oujda.

Former West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd put the hosts in front from close range in the 51st minute and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz made it 2-0 from the penalty spot seven minutes later after Ibrahim Bacca was penalised for handball.

The pressure had been on the Cameroon before kick-off against Libya after two goals from Dilon Livramento gave Cape Verde a 2-1 win in Angola earlier on Tuesday and established a four-point lead for the Blue Sharks in Group D. – BBC Sport Africa/Sports Reporter.