JOHANNESBURG:
Morocco, captained by Ballon d’Or nominee Achraf Hakimi, might this week develop into the primary African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
A matchday 7 win over Niger in Rabat will give the Atlas Lions an unassailable lead in Group E except second-placed Tanzania triumph in Congo Brazzaville earlier that day.
However a Tanzanian triumph will almost definitely solely delay the qualification of the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco.
Morocco journey to Zambia for a September 8 conflict in Ndola and, assuming they beat Niger, would wish one level to clinch a spot on the expanded 48-nation international showpiece.
The Moroccans prime the desk with 15 factors from 5 matches in a mini-league decreased from six groups to 5 by the unexplained withdrawal of Eritrea earlier than matchday 1.
Tanzania have 9 factors, Zambia and Niger six every and Congo, who conceded three walkovers throughout a brief withdrawal on account of authorities interference within the operating of the game, are pointless.
Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain defender with a keenness for combining defending and attacking, is rated among the many greatest right-backs on the planet.
He helped PSG win the 2024-25 Champions League, scoring the primary objective in a 5-0 ultimate rout of Inter Milan. Hakimi was additionally within the crew that later completed runners-up to Chelsea within the Membership World Cup.
Earlier than the final membership season, Hakimi captained Morocco to 3rd place and bronze on the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games males’s soccer match.
He and African strikers Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund are amongst 30 nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
“My dream now could be to win a trophy with Morocco — both the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations,” he advised the Moroccan media.
Morocco host the 2025 Cup of Nations from December 21 and can begin as favourites to beat Africa for the primary time since 1976.
Led by Salah, Egypt are one other nation effectively positioned to be among the many 48 qualifiers heading to america, Canada and Mexico subsequent June.
Group A victories over Ethiopia in Cairo and second-placed Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou would seal first place.
Burkina Faso, who will look to latest Brentford recruit Dango Ouattara for targets, can play at residence once more after renovations to the nationwide August 4 stadium had been authorised by FIFA.
Nigeria boast a proud World Cup qualifying report, lacking solely two editions since their 1994 debut within the US, the place they topped a gaggle earlier than falling to Italy within the second spherical.
The Tremendous Eagles missed out on the final World Cup in Qatar three years in the past, shedding a play-off in opposition to fierce rivals Ghana on away targets.
Determined to keep away from failing once more, the star-studded Tremendous Eagles have battled in Group C, profitable solely one in all six matches and mendacity fourth, six factors under pacesetters South Africa.
“We’re determined to qualify this time,” admitted Turkey-based star striker and former African Footballer of the Yr Victor Osimhen to reporters.
“Nigerians inform us we’re a proficient technology, however that can be meaningless reward if we can’t characteristic at a World Cup.
“Our squad is filled with stars from the highest leagues in Europe, however that alone doesn’t assure success. Qualification needs to be earned.”
Nigeria host Rwanda, the one nation they’ve overwhelmed up to now, then journey to South Africa for a showdown more likely to have a significant bearing on the ultimate placings.
After the humiliation of ending final in a Cup of Nations qualifying group and failing to achieve the 2025 match, Ghana are having fun with a profitable World Cup marketing campaign.
They go to backside crew Chad and host Mali in Group I and two victories would take the Black Stars near back-to-back World Cup appearances.
Coach Otto Addo has a humiliation of attacking riches, together with Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth and Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao.
Mali had been seeded to win the group and compete on the World Cup for the primary time, however have gained solely twice in six outings and path Ghana by six factors with 4 matchdays remaining.
Matchday 7 kicks off on Wednesday, adopted by matchday 8 from Sunday. The ultimate two rounds are scheduled for October 8-14. All 9 group winners qualify for the World Cup.
