Ivory Coast, the reigning champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, continued their impressive form in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Friday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gabon.
The Elephants, led by midfield maestro Seko Fofana, secured the win to maintain their lead in Group F, signaling their determination to book their ticket to the global showpiece event.
In a tightly contested encounter, Fofana proved to be the difference-maker as he showcased his leadership and skill by scoring the solitary goal of the match.
The Ivorian team’s resilience and ability to grind out results even in challenging circumstances underline their status as one of the continent’s footballing powerhouses.
Meanwhile, in other fixtures across Africa, the race to qualify for the World Cup intensified as teams battled for crucial points.
Morocco asserted their dominance in Group E with a 2-1 victory over Zambia. The Atlas Lions, spearheaded by Hakim Ziyech and Eliesse Ben Seghir, secured the win with early goals, showcasing their prowess on the field.
Despite a late consolation goal from Edward Chilufya, Zambia fell short as Morocco claimed the top spot in the group.
Nigeria and South Africa renewed their rivalry in a thrilling encounter that ended in a 1-1 draw. The Super Eagles, determined to assert their dominance in Group C, fought back from a goal down to salvage a point against Bafana Bafana.
Themba Zwane’s early strike gave South Africa the lead, but Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s equalizer ensured Nigeria remained unbeaten in the qualifiers.
Elsewhere, Madagascar made a remarkable comeback in Group I with a 2-1 victory over Comoros. Rayan Raveloson’s brace inspired the Malagasy team to snatch the top spot in the group, signaling their resurgence in the qualifying campaign.
In Group D, Angola secured a vital 1-0 win over Eswatini, with Mabulu’s early goal proving to be the difference between the two sides. The victory propelled Angola to second place in the group, behind leaders Libya.
Uganda edged past Botswana with a narrow 1-0 victory, courtesy of Muhammad Shaban’s late goal. The result keeps Uganda in contention for qualification in Group G, as they aim to challenge the top duo of Algeria and Guinea.
As the FIFA World Cup qualifiers progress, the intensity and drama continue to unfold across Africa. Each match presents new challenges and opportunities for teams to stake their claim for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
With every victory and defeat, the road to the World Cup becomes clearer, shaping the destiny of nations and captivating football fans around the continent.
Photo: X
