In a thrilling start to the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ghana emerged victorious in dramatic fashion, Ivory Coast showcased their dominance with a goal fest, and Cameroon faced an injury scare. Let’s dive into the highlights of these exciting matches.
Late Heroics by Inaki Williams Secure Ghana’s Win
The Black Stars of Ghana were on the brink of frustration as they faced off against a determined Madagascar side. The Malagasy goalkeeper, Melvin Adrien, put on a stellar performance, denying Ghana’s attempts to find the back of the net. It seemed as though the match would end in a goalless draw, but football often reserves its drama for the dying moments.
Inaki Williams, who plays for Athletic Bilbao in Spain, etched his name into Ghana’s football history with a powerful header in injury time. Gideon Mensah’s precise cross found Williams, and he made no mistake, sending the Kumasi crowd into raptures.
Adrien’s heroics had kept Madagascar in the game, thwarting the efforts of Williams, Majeed Ashimeru, and Mohammed Kudus in the second half. The underdog islanders even had their chances to steal a win late in the game, with El Hadary Raheriniaina’s shot flying over the crossbar and captain Njiva Rakotoharimalala hitting the left-hand upright with a header.
The victory was a crucial one for Ghana, managed by Chris Hughton, as they aim to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, building on their appearance in the 2022 finals in Qatar. Despite the late heroics, they face stiff competition in Group I, where they are seeded second behind Mali.
Concerns for Cameroon as Onana Picks Up Injury
Cameroon got off to a strong start in their Group D opener against Mauritius, with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo opening the scoring just before half-time. Goals from Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Frank Magrid sealed a comfortable 3-0 win for the Indomitable Lions.
However, the joy of victory was tempered by a concerning moment in the 81st minute when Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana had to leave the pitch due to injury. As Cameroon prepares to face Libya in their next match, the fitness of their star goalkeeper will be a topic of discussion and concern among fans.
Ivory Coast’s Dominance: A Nine-Goal Rout
In a one-sided Group F encounter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast demonstrated their supremacy with an overwhelming 9-0 victory over Seychelles. The host nation, also set to host the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations, left no room for doubt about their attacking prowess.
The rout began with a Sebastien Haller penalty in the 20th minute, and Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare added to the tally just four minutes later. Karim Konate and Hamed Traore each contributed two goals, while Simon Adringa, Seko Fofana, and Jean-Philippe Krasso also found the back of the net.
Ivory Coast’s performance sends a clear message to their competitors as they aim to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
More Exciting Matches Across Africa
These matches were just a taste of the thrilling action in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers across Africa. Mali had to work hard for their 3-1 win over Chad in Group I, while Zambia staged a comeback to beat Congo 4-2 in their first Group E fixture.
Tunisia secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Sao Tome e Principe in the start of their Group H campaign, and Guinea clinched a late 2-1 ‘home’ win over Uganda. In Group D, Libya began their campaign with a 1-0 away win against Eswatini, and Comoros triumphed 4-2 over Central African Republic in Group I.
As African nations battle it out for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, the drama and excitement are sure to continue. Stay tuned for more thrilling matches and unforgettable moments in the world of football.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Q: What was the outcome of the Ghana vs. Madagascar match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
A: In a thrilling encounter, Ghana secured a 1-0 victory over Madagascar with Inaki Williams scoring a dramatic injury-time winner, sending the Kumasi crowd into jubilation.
Q: How did Ivory Coast perform in their Group F match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
A: Ivory Coast showcased their dominance with a resounding 9-0 win over Seychelles in Group F, underlining their attacking prowess.
Q: Were there any injury concerns for Cameroon in their match during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
A: Yes, there were concerns for Cameroon as their star goalkeeper, Andre Onana of Manchester United, had to leave the pitch due to injury in the 81st minute during their match against Mauritius.
Q: Which other African teams had notable victories in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
A: Mali secured a 3-1 win over Chad, Zambia came from behind to beat Congo 4-2, Tunisia won 4-0 against Sao Tome e Principe, and Guinea clinched a late 2-1 victory over Uganda, among other notable results in the qualifiers.
Q: How did the Ivory Coast’s performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers compare to their competitors?
A: Ivory Coast’s dominant 9-0 victory over Seychelles sent a clear message to their competitors about their strong attacking abilities as they aim to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup.
More about 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
- Ghana secures dramatic late win over Madagascar – BBC Sport
- Ivory Coast’s goal fest in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers – Example.com
- Injury concern for Cameroon’s Andre Onana – Example.com
- Other notable results in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers – Example.com
- Ivory Coast’s dominant performance in the qualifiers – Example.com
1 comment
Ivory Coast rockin’ it with 9 goals, dat’s sum serious dominance!