Cape Verde is now just a win away from making its first-ever World Cup appearance following a surprise 1-0 victory over Cameroon, a team known for its strength on the continent.

With this victory, the Blue Sharks have established a four-point lead over the Indomitable Lions in Group D, with two matches remaining. The decisive goal was netted by Dalion Livramento during the second half in Praia.

In other results, Pape Matar Sarr scored the decisive goal as Senegal staged a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit to beat DR Congo 3-2, taking the lead in their group.

Ivory Coast maintained its narrow one-point lead over Gabon at the top of Group F after managing a scoreless draw against the Panthers away from home.

The reigning champions, who last appeared in the World Cup in 2014, nearly faced defeat as Shavy Babicka hit the post in the dying minutes.

Conversely, Nigeria’s chances for direct qualification to the 2026 finals are dwindling, as the Super Eagles could only secure a 1-1 draw against Group C leaders South Africa, needing a win to keep their hopes alive.

Similarly, Egypt missed a chance to secure early qualification by drawing 0-0 against Burkina Faso in Group A.

Only the group winners in Africa will automatically qualify for the finals, while four best-ranked runners-up will enter a playoff for one additional berth for an intercontinental tournament next year.

Morocco and Tunisia have already qualified for the finals.

Before facing Cameroon, Cape Verde was just a point ahead of the five-time continental champions in Group D, and this triumph widened their lead.

Livramento netted the game’s only goal in the 54th minute, successfully outmuscling Carlos Baleba, advancing through the middle of the Cameroon defense, and finishing calmly against keeper Andre Onana from 14 yards out.

Cameroon failed to create significant scoring opportunities in response, with Bryan Mbeumo’s appeal for a penalty rejected and Vozinha, the home goalkeeper, saving a volley from Flavien Boyomo near the end.

The conclusion of the match prompted jubilant scenes, with fans invading the pitch, waving flags, and lighting flares in celebration of this monumental win.

Having performed admirably in previous Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals in 2013 and 2023, for the Atlantic archipelago of under 600,000 to qualify for the World Cup would indeed be extraordinary.

The Blue Sharks are aware that securing three points in their next two matches next month—first against Libya away and then hosting Eswatini—will see them secure their place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The latest round of matches produced several crucial clashes at the top, with DR Congo leading Senegal by one point before their encounter in Kinshasa.

The Leopards began aggressively, taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa in the first 33 minutes in front of a passionate home crowd at Stade des Martyrs.

However, the Teranga Lions narrowed the gap in the 39th minute when Pape Gueye capitalized from close range after Iliman Ndiaye’s low shot hit the post.

The DR Congo keeper Dimitry Bertaud then produced an impressive save to stop Gueye from equalizing just before halftime, while Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson narrowly missed a goal to level the scores in first-half stoppage time.

Eight minutes into the second half, Jackson found the net, bringing the score to 2-2 with a finish from inside the penalty area, before Sarr clinched victory with three minutes remaining by converting a pass from Cheikh Sabaly.

Senegal is now leading in Group B by two points over DR Congo, which last appeared in the World Cup finals in 1974 as Zaire.

In contrast, Sudan’s hopes in Group B are nearly extinguished after a 1-0 defeat to Togo, leaving them four points behind DR Congo in third place.

Nigeria recognized the need for a victory away to South Africa to improve their chances for automatic qualification in Group C. However, they fell behind in the 25th minute as defender William Troost-Ekong accidentally redirected Mohau Nkota’s low cross into his own goal.

The Super Eagles managed to equalize just before halftime when Fulham’s Calvin Bassey scored with a powerful header from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross.

Replays showed that Bassey’s header may have brushed his arm, but there was no Video Assistant Referee to intervene during the African qualifiers, so the goal stood.

They came back in the second half with renewed energy but struggled to create opportunities and could not significantly threaten South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

South Africa now leads the group and stands on the verge of returning to the World Cup for the first time since hosting it in 2010.

For the Super Eagles, hopes are dimming as they trail six points behind Bafana Bafana, although they might receive a lifeline if South Africa is penalized three points for fielding an ineligible player in a past match against Lesotho.

FIFA has yet to make a ruling on this situation.