CAPE VERDE EDGE CLOSER AS SENEGAL STAGE DRAMATIC COMEBACK
Victory over Cameroon leaves Cape Verde on the brink of history, while Senegal fight back from two goals down to strengthen their Group B lead.
Cape Verde moved a step closer to a maiden World Cup appearance after beating Cameroon 1-0 at home on Tuesday, with Dailon Livramento racing clear and finishing past André Onana early in the second half.
The win leaves the island nation with a population of just over 600,000 in control of Group D.
The result put Cape Verde four points clear of Cameroon with two games remaining; the side need three points from meetings with Libya (away) and Eswatini (home) next month to seal qualification.
In Kinshasa, Senegal recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat DR Congo 3-2, with Pape Gueye pulling one back before Nicolas Jackson levelled early in the second half and Pape Matar Sarr netting a late winner to put Senegal top of Group B.
Elsewhere on a busy night of African qualifying, Egypt were held 0-0 by Burkina Faso, South Africa drew 1-1 with Nigeria, and Ivory Coast were held 0-0 by Gabon — results that leave the section leaders in stronger positions but with final places still to be decided.
The nine group winners will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico; the four best runners-up will advance to a playoff in November for a further chance to reach the finals.
By: Itoro Etukudo
