- Salah Hits Four As Egypt Pounds Djibouti
- Algeria Too Strong For Somalia, As Gabon Came From Behind To Dim Harambee Stars
THE Super Eagles of Nigeria began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Lesotho in Uyo, South-South, Nigeria on Thursday.
The visitors took the lead shortly after half-time through Mkwanazi before defender Semu Ajayi equalized in the 67th minute of the Group C encounter.
The other game of the group played on Wednesday, between Rwanda and Zimbabwe ended goalless.
In Cairo, Egypt hits Djibouti for six in the Mohammed Salah showtime. The Liverpool FC forward found the target four times as the Pharaohs took a commanding lead in Group A. Ethiopia and Sierra Leone played goalless on Wednesday in that same group.
Salah’s four-goal performance marked an impressive start for Egypt in their qualifying campaign.
The Liverpool forward wasted no time making an impact, opening the scoring in the 17th minute by easily converting a well-placed cross from Mostafa Mohamed.
Just two minutes later, Omar Kamal was fouled inside the area, resulting in a penalty that Salah confidently converted to double Egypt’s lead.
After the break, Salah completed his hat trick in the 48th minute, calmly slotting the ball into an empty net from a delightful cross by Ahmed Fatouh.
The Liverpool star then added his fourth goal with a precise shot from inside the area, catching the goalkeeper off guard.
Despite missing several opportunities throughout the game, FC Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed managed to contribute to the scoreline, scoring Egypt’s fifth goal in the 74th minute after capitalizing on a rebounded shot.
Substitute winger Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan completed the rout with a superb curling shot from inside the area.
The Pharaohs showcased a dominant performance against their underdog opponents, who failed to mount a single attack during the entire 90 minutes of the match.
The Desert Foxes of Algeria were too strong for Somalia as they whipped them 3-1 while Gabon came from behind to pip the Harambee Stars of Kenya 2-1.
Here are some results from Match Day 1 of the World Cup qualifiers in Africa.
Group A
Egypt 6
Djibouti 0
Ethiopia 0
Sierra Leone 0
Group B
DR Congo 2
Mauritania 0
Sudan 1
Togo 1
Group C
Nigeria 1
Lesotho 1
Rwanda 0
Zimbabwe 0
Group F
Burundi 3
The Gambia 2
Gabon 2
Kenya 1
Group G
Botswana 2
Mozambique 3
Algeria 3
Somalia 1
Group H
Equatorial Guinea 1
Namibia 0
Eighteen-Eleven Media