FIFA Africa World Cup qualification: Favored teams asserted dominance.

The Road to North America 2026 resumed last weekend, after a six-month hiatus with renewed vigor and determination.

After the opening rounds provided tantalizing matches with both established power houses and emerging forces showcasing their mettle.

The results have implications for group standings, with some teams strengthening their positions and others facing challenges and the next round of fixtures will be crucial, with teams seeking to build momentum or recover from setbacks.

Our observations show that, many higher-ranked teams secured convincing wins, demonstrating their strength and scoring abilities.

The weekend results show cased competitiveness and close contestations, indicating the competitive nature of African football.

Multiple goals were scored in several matches and this exhibited a better good performance compared to the previous competitions, highlighting the attacking prowess of various teams.

Weekend matches saw players like Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet score 5, Ghana’s Jordan Ayew attain 4 among others fight for top scorer boot.

Stadiums like Mandela National Stadioum Namboole in Uganda re-hosted games and Amahoro in Rwanda lifted to world class.

Results:
The highly anticipated encounter between Egypt and Burkina Faso in Cairo saw the sons of Pharaohs, lead through their new strategist Hossan Hassam, with hope to be seek redemption after a poor and disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.

Clash of the lions revealed a new promise as a captivating battle of wits and resilience, potentially reshaping the group’s dynamic.

Sudan is leading Group B with 10 points above Senegal, Dr. Congo, Togo South Sudan and Mauritania.

Rwanda surprisingly exhibited a better performance compared to what many expected and as we speak now, they are leading their table alongside South Africa and Benin all at 7 points, Lesotho, Nigeria and Zimbabwe with 5,3 and 2 respectively.

The stakes are equally high in Group D, where Cameroon and Cabo Verde, both sitting on four points, will go head-to-head in Yaounde. Libya and Angola are also in contention, making this group one of the most open and unpredictable. Angola will host Eswatini, looking to build on their mixed AFCON performance, while Libya and Mauritius will clash in a crucial encounter.

Moroco seems to be ready to lead and qualify because with their 3 matches so far 9 points have been gathered above Tanzania with 6, Niger and Zambia with 2 and pointless Congo Brazaville and Eriterea.

This performance presence a unique challenge, with only four teams vying for qualification following Eritrea’s withdrawal. Morocco and Zambia, both on three points, will face off in a pivotal encounter in Agadir.

Both nations will be eager to bounce back from their AFCON disappointments and establish themselves as the group’s frontrunners. Congo, still searching for their first points, will seek redemption against Niger in Kinshasa.

Côte d’Ivoire presented a perfect record, and their clash against Gabon in Korhogo promises to be a captivating affair. Emerse Fae, the newly appointed Ivorian coach who led the team to AFCON glory, faces a stern test against the Gabonese.

Kenya and Burundi will lock horns, while The Gambia and Seychelles will also battle for crucial points.

Algeria managed to gun a win in Kampala by beating Uganda 2 against 1 days after the hosts had just won Botswana and now leading the table.

Algeria and Mozambique on top with 9 points Botswana, Guinea and Uganda with 6 and lastly Somalia pointless.

With Tunisa and Namibia at 10 and 8 respectively against Liberai and Malawi with 7 and 6 respectively, leaves Equaterail Gunie with 3 and pointles Sao Tome Principe with limited chances of qualifying through group H.

Tunisia, under caretaker coach Montasser Louhichi, seems determined.

Comoros has surprised the football fraternity by being on top of one of Africa’s giants, Ghana all with 9 points but with goal differences, Madagascar and Mali with 7 and 5 respectively whereas Central African Republic and Chad with low chance of leaving Group I since each has 4 and 0points respectively.

By: Ali Alibawa.