With the conclusion of Matchday 4 in some groups, the qualifying groups are starting to reveal the front-runners and those struggling to keep pace. From dramatic victories to clinical performances, teams either solidified their positions or faced uphill battles in their pursuit of qualification. Here’s a breakdown of the day’s action:
Kenya 0 – 1 Cameroon
Cameroon kept their qualifying hopes alive with a narrow but crucial 1-0 win over Kenya. It was a tense encounter, with Kenya showing resilience, but a second-half strike from Boris Enow sealed the points for the Indomitable Lions. With this win, Cameroon sits on top of the group, leaving Kenya’s campaign in peril.
Gambia 1 – 0 Madagascar
The Gambia recorded an important 1-0 win against Madagascar, continuing their steady rise in the group. A goal by Musa Barrow in the 62nd minute was enough to see off a stubborn Malagasy side. With this victory, Gambia positions themselves as serious contenders for qualification, while Madagascar struggles to stay afloat in the group.
Zimbabwe 3 – 1 Namibia
Zimbabwe turned on the style with a 3-1 victory over Namibia. Walter Musona led the charge, scoring twice, while Dube added a third to put the result beyond doubt. Namibia managed a consolation goal late on, but Zimbabwe’s dominance was clear. This win gives Zimbabwe a huge boost as they climb up the table. Namibia is mathematically out. They can’t qualify.
Liberia 1 – 2 Equatorial Guinea
It was a heartbreaking night for Liberia as Equatorial Guinea snatched a hard-fought 2-1 win. E.Guinea opened the scoring through Asue, but Liberia fought back with goal from Gibson. E.Guinea’s Darion turned the game around. The win keeps Equatorial Guinea in the race, while Liberia faces an uphill battle. Liberia is out.
Togo 0 – 1 Algeria
Algeria continued their impressive form with a 1-0 win against Togo. A well taken penalty converted by Bensebaini made the difference in a tight contest. Algeria’s perfect record so far solidifies their place at the top of the group, leaving Togo to regroup as their qualification hopes start to slip away.
Eswatini 0 – 3 Mozambique
Mozambique demonstrated their dominance with a convincing 3-0 win over Eswatini. Goals from Dominguez, Ratifo, and Catamo ensured Mozambique’s unbeaten streak extended to four matches. Eswatini remains rooted at the bottom of the group, while Mozambique takes another big step toward qualification.
How the Groups Are Shaping Up
With just a few matches remaining, several teams are separating themselves from the pack:
Algeria and Mozambique continue to dominate their groups, looking increasingly likely to seal qualification.
Cameroon and Gambia boosted their campaigns with crucial wins, moving into promising positions.
Zimbabwe is gaining momentum with an emphatic win, while Equatorial Guinea showed character to remain in the hunt.
On the other side, teams like Togo, Namibia, Kenya, and Eswatini are beginning to lose ground, with their qualifying hopes slowly slipping away.
As the competition heads into the final stretch, every point will count. Matchday 5 promises more twists and surprises as teams fight for their spot on the road to glory. Those matches will be played in November.
