JOHANNESBURG: Cape Verde, a west African island nation of fewer than 550,000 inhabitants, could become the second smallest country to qualify for a World Cup after they took a step closer on Tuesday, while Senegal staged a stunning recovery to boost their chances of a berth at next year’s finals in North America.
Egypt, South Africa and Ivory Coast also moved towards securing first place in their respective groups on a busy day of qualifiers across the continent.
Cape Verde’s 1-0 home win over Cameroon put them four points clear of the Indomitable Lions in Group ‘D’ and they have their destiny in their hands with two matches to play next month.
The Blue Sharks won in Praia with a 54th-minute goal from striker Dailon Livramento, who stripped Carlos Baleba of the ball in his own half before sprinting away from the defenders and slotting the ball expertly past goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Cape Verde need three points from next month’s qualifiers away to Libya and at home against Eswatini.
Iceland, with about 350,000 people, is the smallest country to have competed at the finals when they played at Russia 2018.
Cameroon, whose eight appearances at the global showpiece are an African record, suffered a double blow. The loss them to fifth among second-placed teams.
Only the top four group runners-up qualify for a mini-tournament. The winner of that advances to inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup slots up for grabs.
Senegal moved closer to making it three World Cups in a row after overcoming a two-goal deficit to beat long-time Group ‘B’ leaders Democratic Republic of Congo 3-2 in Kinshasa and take a two-point advantage.
Cedric Bakambu and Newcastle United signing Yoane Wissa scored for the Congolese before a second-half revival by the Senegalese culminated in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr firing the winner.
Egypt would have become the third African country to qualify — after Morocco and Tunisia — had they won in Burkina Faso but a 0-0 draw means they still need two points from their final two Group ‘A’ fixtures to make sure.
African champions Ivory Coast remain one point ahead of Gabon in Group ‘F’ after the two teams drew 0-0 in Franceville.
Nigeria are in danger of missing a second successive World Cup after drawing 1-1 away to Group ‘C’ leaders South Africa in Bloemfontein.
Super Eagles defenders scored both goals in the first half with captain William Troost-Ekong diverting a cross into his own net and Calvin Bassey nodding the equaliser off a cross.
Nigeria trail South Africa by six points. Their hopes of making it the 2026 tournament in North America probably hinge on finishing second and securing a play-offs slot.
Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2025
