African Zone: Drama and Determination Mark Matchday 10 of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
The Matchday 10 fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers delivered a mix of thrilling wins and tightly contested draws across the continent on Monday, as nations battled to strengthen their bids for a ticket to North America.
Tunisia were the standout performers of the day, showing class and composure with a 3–0 victory over Namibia to tighten their grip on Group H. Meanwhile, Lesotho continued their impressive run with a narrow yet vital 1–0 win against Zimbabwe, a result that could prove crucial in their qualification hopes.
Elsewhere, Togo and South Sudan played out a goalless draw, while Equatorial Guinea were held 1–1 by Liberia, leaving their group wide open.
Cape Verde also impressed with a dominant 3–0 win over Eswatini, while Libya and Mauritius settled for a frustrating 0–0 stalemate. In Yaoundé, Cameroon endured a tough night, managing only a 0–0 draw with Angola, much to the disappointment of their home supporters.
Full Matchday 10 Results:
South Sudan 0–0 Togo
Equatorial Guinea 1–1 Liberia
São Tomé and Príncipe 1–0 Malawi
Libya 0–0 Mauritius
Cameroon 0–0 Angola
Cape Verde 3–0 Eswatini
Lesotho 1–0 Zimbabwe
Tunisia 3–0 Namibia
💭 Opinion: The Battle Lines Are Clear — Africa’s World Cup Dream Heats Up
If one thing is clear after Matchday 10, it’s that no team can afford complacency. The margins are razor-thin, and every goal now feels like gold dust.
Tunisia’s performance reaffirmed their status as one of Africa’s most consistent sides — organized, clinical, and unflinching under pressure. Meanwhile, smaller nations like Lesotho and Cape Verde are proving that the so-called “minnows” of African football can no longer be overlooked.
But perhaps the biggest talking point lies in the stalemates — Cameroon, Libya, and Togo all failed to capitalize on key opportunities, showing that even giants can stumble when the stakes are this high.
With only a few rounds left, the qualifiers are shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup is no longer about names — it’s about nerve, belief, and who wants it most.
