Senegal, Ivory Coast chase qualification; Group C thrills in store
Senegal and Ivory Coast could secure qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup when Africa’s Matchday 9 concludes with nine games across the continent on Friday 10 October, while a wide-open Group C promises more thrills and spills.
Senegal (World Cup appearances in 2002, 2018 and 2022) hold a two-point lead over DR Congo at the top of Group B, and could book their ticket to North America with a win away to South Sudan in Juba in the afternoon – provided DR Congo are unable to win away to Togo in Lome in a match which kick off one hour later.
“Nothing is decided yet,” said Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, who will be delighted to welcome Ismaila Sarr back into the squad, but has to cope with the injury-enforced absences of Lamine Camara and Habib Diarra.
The afternoon block of matches also offers up a chance for reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast (World Cup appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2014) to win Group F. The Elephants will need to defeat the Seychelles in Saint Pierre (Mauritius) and hope that nearest chasers Gabon fall to a defeat away to Gambia in Nairobi (Kenya).
The early evening is all about Group C. Following South Africa’s three-point sanction from Fifa for using an ineligible player in a win over Lesotho back in March (which was then awarded as a 3-0 win for Likuena), Benin top the log with 14 points – leading Bafana Bafana only on goal difference.
But just three points back is both Nigeria and Rwanda, meaning that four teams still have realistic hopes of taking top spot and securing an automatic berth for next year’s World Cup.
Matchday 9 of the Africa #WCQ continues with 🔟 nations LIVE on SuperSport from 15:00
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 9, 2025
Algeria are on the verge of becoming the fourth African nation to secure a ticket to next year's Fifa World Cup.#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/98PCkfkHMN
Leaders Benin face a tricky clash away to Rwanda in Kigali, South Africa will back themselves to win ‘away’ to Zimbabwe in Durban, and Nigeria will be clear favourites for three points when they face Lesotho in Polokwane.
“It’s amazing to me that people are starting to doubt that we can qualify. For them it’s a given that Benin will win two times,” said Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
“[Even though] they play in Nigeria and they play in Rwanda. If they win two times, congratulations to them. But I don’t think it will happen.
“If we win two times, there is a big chance we will qualify. The only thing we have to do now is focus on the games, and not on all the other rubbish. It’s not important any more, we have been punished and we know the situation. We have to go for it.”
2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers (CAF/Africa)
Matchday 9 fixtures – Friday 10 October 2025
Times CAT
14:00: South Sudan v Senegal
15:00: Gambia v Gabon
15:00: Togo v DR Congo
15:00: Seychelles v Ivory Coast
15:00: Sudan v Mauritania
18:00: Sao Tome & Principe v Tunisia
18:00: Rwanda v Benin
18:00: Lesotho v Nigeria
18:00: Zimbabwe v South Africa
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