Online ReporterTHOMAS PARTEY and Mohammed Kudus strengthened Ghana’s bid for a place at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, while Ivory Coast won to return to the top of their qualifying group on Monday.
Four-time continental champions Ghana failed to reach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but the Black Stars sit five points clear of second-placed Madagascar in Group I following their 3-0 victory away against the islanders.
Ghana’s cause was also helped as Mali, the top seeds in their group, were held to a goalless draw away against Central African Republic.
The Eagles are third, six points behind Ghana, with four rounds of the 10-game campaign remaining.
Ivory Coast moved to the top of Group F, a point ahead of Gabon, as Sebastien Haller’s first-half header was enough to settle a nervy home encounter with The Gambia.
Only the nine group winners in African qualifying are assured of a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup finals.
The four best second-placed sides will play off for a space at an intercontinental qualifier which will provide the chance for a 10th side to reach the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Elsewhere, Tunisia scored two late goals against 10-man Malawi to move four points clear at the top of Group H.
The Flames, who had Lloyd Aaron sent off midway through the second half, frustrated the hosts in Rades until an unmarked Seifeddine Jaziri broke the deadlock with a back-post header in the 86th minute.
Elias Achouri added a stoppage-time penalty and there was still time for Carthage Eagles goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen to keep out a 98th-minute spot kick from Richard Mbulu to preserve a clean sheet.
Tunisia’s closest challengers are Namibia, who drew 1-1 at home against Equatorial Guinea in neutral Polokwane.
In Group A, Lassina Traore scored twice as Burkina Faso won 2-1 away against Guinea-Bissau to cut Egypt’s lead at the top of the table to two points.
Meanwhile, Bereket Desta and Abubeker Nasir both scored hat-tricks as Ethiopia registered their first victory by thrashing Djibouti 6-1.
Monday’s African World Cup qualifying results
Guinea-Bissau 1-2 Burkina Faso (Group A)
Ethiopia 6-1 Djibouti (Group A)
Ivory Coast 1-0 The Gambia (Group F)
Namibia 1-1 Equatorial Guinea (Group H)
Liberia 2-1 Sao Tome e Principe (Group H)
Tunisia 2-0 Malawi (Group H)
Central African Republic 0-0 Mali (Group I)
Madagascar 0-3 Ghana (Group I) – BBC Sport Africa/Sports Reporter
