By Alpha Abu
National football teams across Africa are engaged in qualifiers for World Cup 2026 to be hosted by Mexico, Canada and USA. Already it’s not looking good for a Nigeria who must drastically improve on their performances if they are to make it through. As usual there are also surprises with countries considered as minnows showing positive intents.
Our own Leone Stars are not doing badly at all having won against Djibouti last week 2-1 and then coming from two nil down in the first half, against Burkina Faso making a rare comeback to level , the equalizer coming with just two minutes of normal time left.
Coach Amidu Karim taking over from John Keister was met with skepticism in many quarters. But in his couple of games in charge attacking football that was missing under his predecessor, has emerged and quite impressively too.
In their match against Djibouti the players looked good with well- coordinated and spirited display. Augustus Kargbo in particularly was very impressive, a performance he continued in the next match against Burkina Faso played in Mali on Monday. No wonder he scored in both matches.
It is too early to say this is the time for Leone Stars to make it through to North America as there are more matches ahead.
Egypt though look comfortable topping group A by winning three and drawing one, that has Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Burkina Faso. Guinea Bissau are second with 6 points- having won one and drawn three.
Elsewhere things are not looking good for reputable nations like Nigeria who were beaten by host country Benin 2-1. The Super Eagles are currently in fifth position in group C with just three points from four matches. They are yet to win a match and would need a drastic change of fortune to get out of this preliminary qualifying group stage. Already pressure is mounting on Eagles coach Finidi George. Quite a big surprise that Rwanda lead the group with two wins, a draw and one loss.
Group D was being topped by Cameroon as at press time, by goal difference against Libya who had played a game more. But the Cameroonians could increase their points’ margin should they have beaten Angola away last evening.
Ghana and Comoros are tied with 9 points in Group I but the former sit second behind the latter who have a better goal difference in their group. The Ghanaians had to battle it out emerging 4-3 winners against the visiting Central African Republic on Monday.
Tunisia lead Group H with 10 points from 4 matches. Namibia sit in second position with 8 points. The Algerians are leading Group G with 9 points.
High flying Sudan lead Group B with 10 points ahead of former African Champions Senegal who are second with 8 points. Morocco are leading Group E. Defending Champions Ivory Coast have maximum 12 points from their opening 4 matches in Group F.
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